Margaret Mahy to be honoured at Hamilton City Libraries

Hamiltonians can pay tribute to one of New Zealand’s most well loved children’s authors at Hamilton City Libraries this month.

Margaret Mahy, who passed away on 23 July aged 76, is the author of more than 120 titles and has been described as one of New Zealand’s “most acclaimed literary figures”.

Her stories will be read by children’s authors, illustrators, teachers and librarians at libraries throughout the country on Saturday, 11 August at 11am as part of national initiative ‘Margaret Mahy Nationwide Read’. All branches of Council’s Hamilton City Libraries will be taking part in the initiative, with the following people holding public readings:

• Authors Feana Tu’akoi and Bev Wood at Garden Place Library
• Author Sharon Holt at Hillcrest Library
• Teachers Emma Baker and Helen Le Heron at Glenview Library
• Storyteller Hannah May at Dinsdale Library
• Author Alison Robertson and teacher Dorinda Kirkpatrick at St Andrews Library
• Authors Gretchen Brassington and Barb Morris, and librarian Gameedah Jonas at Chartwell Library

 

Hillcrest Library customer services rep and children’s author, Sharon Holt, who is coordinating the events in Hamilton, says: “Margaret Mahy is a national treasure so the Nationwide Read is a great opportunity for children and adults who love her books to get together and celebrate the role that she and her stories played in our lives.”

For the next few weeks the public are also invited to sign, write messages and draw pictures in memorial books for Margaret Mahy at all Hamilton City Libraries branches.