The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi is thrilled to announce the 2026 recipient of the Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award: Claire Mabey.
Wellington-based author Claire is known for her richly imagined junior fiction and picture books, and for her wider contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary community.
Her debut novel, The Raven’s Eye Runaways, is a middle grade adventure novel about the magic of books, the importance of friendship, and the secrets buried deep in families – and won Best First Book at the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Its sequel, The Raven’s Eye Rebellion, was published in April 2026. Claire’s first picture book, Cass and the Beast, illustrated by Jill Calder, publishes in August 2026.
Alongside her writing, Claire is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis, books editor at The Spinoff, book reviewer on RNZ and on The Bookshelf podcast on the ABC, and co-curator of the writers’ programme at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
An independent panel, made up of Ann Packer, Tim Tipene and Kate de Goldi, selected Claire to receive a $30,000 gift to support her ongoing work. The panel considered an impressive longlist of nominees and said, “Claire Mabey is a resplendent flare in Aotearoa children’s fiction. Her work bristles with the qualities of great children’s literature: spirited storytelling, imaginative invention, characters who speak to childhood yearnings and ideals. Her writing is rich and musical; she writes up to her readers, respecting their capacity. In the tradition of enduring fantasy, she explores with subtlety real word questions – greed and the misuse of authority – and the power of dedicated resistance. Above all, at every level, Claire’s work demonstrates the deep history of her own reading, and her fierce belief in the radical sustenance of story and language.”
Upon learning she had been selected, Claire said: “This award means everything to me! I am absolutely floored by it and so deeply grateful. To have the support of Dame Lynley Dodd, one of the world’s greatest writers, is a Hercules Morse-sized boost in confidence. I have so many ideas in my head and in notebooks and now, thanks to this generosity, I can take a sabbatical and work on them, full time. This kind of support is huge for artists – lifechanging. I am tremendously thankful and will not waste a moment!”
The Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award is made possible by the huge act of generosity from Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary great Dame Lynley Dodd DNZM. It is inspired by a pivotal moment in Lynley’s career when a financial gift transformed her path, enabling her to continue writing and ultimately becoming a celebrated writer and illustrator. Claire is the second recipient of the award, which was established in 2024. The inaugural Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award was presented to Whangārei-based author Janine Williams, known by her pen name J.L. Williams. The Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award is intended for authors who have established their identity in the field of children’s literature, showcasing richness, range, and depth in their work. Eligible recipients should have published two or three books, whether they are picture books, junior novels, or young adult novels, and should exemplify the strength and quality of children’s literature in Aotearoa New Zealand. The $30,000 award is designed to support their practice and ensure their work continues.
The Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award is presented every two years, alternating with the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award, which recognises children’s illustrators. Both awards are selected by independent panels and are not open for application.
