Joy Watson (original) (raw)

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New Zealand writer (1938–2021)

Valerie Joy Watson (née Evans; 21 February 1938 – 4 October 2021) was a New Zealand author of children's books, many of which were published by Scholastic Corporation.[1] Many of Watson's tales were based on her husband Kevin.[2] Watson had also written lyrics to school musicals and songs. She was the mother of writer/singer/musician Mary-anne Scott.[3]

Watson was born in Gisborne on 21 February 1938[4] to a farming family, she was the second (and only girl) of four children.[4] Largely educated by correspondence, she later attended school at Waipukurau and St Mary's College, Wellington.[1][5] Although her father left school at a young age, both of her parents were literate.[4] After finishing school, she trained as a dental nurse and worked in the Dannevirke area.[1]

Watson began her writing career by penning stories and poems for her family.[1] The inspiration for her book Grandpa's Slippers was her husband's old slippers.[1] It became well-known[6] and won a Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much–Loved book in 2000.[1] Grandpa's Slippers was followed by Grandpa's Cardigan, Grandpa's Shorts, Grandpa's Shed and Grandpa's Cat.[1]

In 2015, Grandpa's Slippers was a fiction nomination for the Great Kiwi Classic,[7] adapted into a stage show,[8] and included in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants for 2017/2018.[9] It has been published in foreign language editions.[1]

Watson wrote 15 books and with her husband a musical performed in schools.[1]

In 2012, Watson dedicated preschool story time to the community of Hastings for New Zealand Book Month.[10]

Watson married pharmacist Kevin Watson and they had nine children.[1] Her daughter Mary-anne Scott is a writer of young adult fiction.[6]

Watson died in Havelock North on 4 October 2021, aged 83. Her Requiem Mass was held in the town on 7 October 2021.[1][11]

• Pets (1988)
• Mouse In The House (1989)
• Grandpa's Slippers (1989)
• Grandpa's Cardigan (1993)
• No Porridge, Please (1994)
• Just In Case (1996)
• A Wet Day At School (1996)
• Foster Dog (1999)
• Highway Robbery (2000)
• The Birthday Flood (2001)
• Grandpa's Shorts (2001) - Children's Choice Award at the 2002 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults[1]
• Grandpa's Shed (2003)
• Zita the Zebra (2006)
• Grandpa's Cat (2006)
• Worms Squirm...and Other Poems (2007)[12]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Grandpa's Slippers trod winning path". The Dominion Post. Stuff. 23 October 2021. p. 7. Retrieved 8 August 2022 – via PressReader.
2. ^ "The private inspiration behind this iconic Kiwi book". Now To Love. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
3. ^ "Mary-anne Scott". Penguin Books (NZ). Retrieved 8 August 2022.
4. ^ a b c "Interview with Joy Watson". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
5. ^ "Joy Watson". storylines.org.nz. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
6. ^ a b Monk, Felicity; Page, Emma (8 July 2017). "Spell binders: How Juliette MacIver, Toby Morris, Mary-anne Scott and Lisala Halapua write their acclaimed children's books". Stuff. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
7. ^ "The Great Kiwi Classic: On Sacred Cows and Literary Canons". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
8. ^ "Polished yet with Warmth, Ease and Playfulness". Theatre Review. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
9. ^ "2017/2018 Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants, Round Two" (PDF). Auckland Council. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
10. ^ "New Zealand Book Month 2012 – get ready to turn the page!". Hastings District Council. 21 February 2012.
11. ^ "Joy Watson, beloved author of 'Grandpa's Slippers', has passed away". MINDFOOD. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
12. ^ "Watson, Joy". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. Retrieved 8 August 2022.

• Joy Watson at Goodreads