What’s the best thing about being an author? This!
Thank you so much to the team at Storylines New Zealand, and also to the wonderful schools we visited in the Hawke’s Bay. I was lucky enough to be in a van with some inspiring Kiwi authors: Michel Mulipola, Kate De Goldi, Story Hemi-Morehouse, Sharleen Forbes, and Heather McQuillan.
‘Pull the ugliest face you can’!
Schools in the Hawke’s Bay we visited –
Argyll East School – Tinokino School – Waipukurau Library – St. Joseph’s School – Waipukurau – The Terrace School – Waipukurau School – Takapau School – Central Hawkes Bay College – Waipawa Primary School – Te Awa School – Richmond SchoolWilliam Colenso College – Napier Community High School – Nelson Park School
Meeanee School – Greenmeadows School – Taradale Primary School – Hereworth.
My favourite questions during my talks?
‘Did your dog really eat the bathroom?’
‘How old are you?’
‘Have you ever kissed a girl?’
Look at these cool cats below – so alive and intuitive. Great writers of the future.
It was great to introduce kids to my novels Freakout Island, My Best Worst Year, Stowaway Daze and The Underers. For the little ones I read Nanas With No Manners and My Dog Ate the Bathroom. Note: I write for all ages; my books for children are written as Justin Christopher.
As a child, I never forgot these visits, it’s so important that Aotearoa’s tamariki continue to have the opportunity to be inspired by writers, illustrators, and artists from their own land.
How did we make a difference? Good question, I have one story. At one particular school I didn’t realise the significance of a shy boy at the back of the class. At the end of my talk he stood and quietly said, ‘I wrote a book.’ I wondered why the teacher was filming him. As the class emptied the teacher told me that due to Alcohol Fetal Syndrome the boy often never communicated, engaged, or connected with the class. That day he felt comfortable enough to speak.
New Zealand teachers are incredible and they are not paid enough.
Below are reviews from those teachers who are not paid enough.
For more information about Storylines head to their website – www.storylines.org.nz.
You’ll find more about my books for children at www.justinchristopherauthor.com.
I seem to get more and more readers from outside of New Zealand, so if you’re reading this please get in touch. I am more than happy to travel and bring my stories and bad jokes to your schools or events.
Below, Te Mata Peak and Napier in the Hawke’s Bay.
Visit if you can, it’s a stunning part of the country.
Ngā Mihi.
