VENUE: Great Hall

Free

No bookings required, come along to the world-first book launch of Maria Gill and Emma Huia Lovegrove’s latest book ‘Remarkable Animal Stories from New Zealand and Australia’ published by Scholastic.

Maria Gill will share some of the stories in the book in front of a warming fire in the Great Hall, with animal themed party treats. Hear about Nigel No-Mates, the lovesick gannet; Henry, the tuatara that became a first-time dad at 111 years old; Einstein, the hugging camel; Tumbles, the fostering takahē and many other funny, endearing stories. Maria will also give children some writing tips about writing animal stories. Remarkable Animal Stories will be available for purchase at the event thanks to our awesome local bookseller, Scorpio Books.

Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based children’s book writer and educator will be in residence at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora from 2 August to 24 October as part of the Arts Four Creative Residency project, with funding support from Creative New Zealand and the Stout Trust (managed by Perpetual Guardian). She has written over 60 nonfiction books including the award winning ‘Anzac Heroes’ (2016). ‘Ice Breaker! An Epic Antarctic Adventure (2020), Kate Sheppard: Leading the way for Women (2018), and New Zealand Hall of Fame (2011). In 2021, she graduated with a Masters in Creative Writing (Honours).  She is currently writing a children’s novel on Ōtautahi/Christchurch born scientist Sir Ernest Rutherford, whose laboratory was based at The Arts Centre (then Canterbury College). For more information visit www.mariagill.co.nz