COWLEY, Joy (1936 - )

PowerPoint 12.1

• Joy Cowley, a famous fiction writer for children and adults, was born in New Zealand.

• She was a poor reader, but because she liked stories, she became a bookworm. She fell in love with reading and soon started writing her own stories. • Her first stories were published in a local newspaper when she was only eleven.

• She is a much-loved writer of children's books.

• She has written more than 600 titles for all ages and her books are available in most countries.

• Her books have been published widely. She received a medal for her writing in 1990.

• In 1992, she received the OBE award for her contributions to children’s literature.

• During her adult life, she has worked as an artist, photographer, construction worker, farm worker, newspaper children’s page editor, housewife and writer.

• She is interested in weaving, woodwork, sailing, fishing and farming.

• She married Ted Cowley in 1956.

• She first tried to be a painter. But in 1960, when she had her fourth child, she decided to begin writing seriously.

Joy and Terry cruising in Antarctica

• It was not easy to work as a writer at the beginning.

• She sent in twenty-nine stories before one was accepted. Fortunately, she did not give up.

Joy Cowley started writing for children to help her son Edward, who was slow to learn reading skills. Her first picture book was The Duck and the Gun. It was published in New York in 1969.

Clockwise from left : James, Judith, Edward, Sharon, Joy

• She now spends about three months every year overseas. She works with teachers on early reading and children’s difficulties, and she runs writing workshops.

• Since Joy has contributed so much to children’s literature, she has received many awards.

• Joy Cowley is an outstanding writer who gives most of her time to writing books for children.

http://www.joycowley.com/sitemap.shtmlhttp://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/cowleyjoy.html

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construction workers

an editor

weaving

woodwork

sailing