The Picture Books of Margaret Wild
An Award-Winning Australian Author of Children's Literature
Oct 5, 2008
Books are important for so many reasons. They help us to understand who we are and the world that we live in, allow us to empathize with the feelings and experiences of others and give us an escape route when our own lives seem too much to bear. Good books provoke a reaction and make us feel emotions and the best writers use individual experiences to reveal universal truths. Margaret Wild is this type of writer.
Biography of Margaret Wild
Margaret Wild grew up in South Africa but moved to Australia in the early 1970’s. She began her writing career as a journalist before moving on to become a successful children’s editor. Her first three picture book texts were sent to three different publishers and were all accepted.
For many years Margaret worked as an editor while writing picture books and raising two children on her own. Like J.K Rowling she liked to write in a café, writing for half an hour each morning before she went to work. Over the years her books became so successful that she was able to leave her job and now she focuses on writing full time. She has published over 70 picture books.
Books For Preschool Children
Preschool children love books with bright colours, engaging characters and storylines that make them laugh. Here are some books of Margaret Wild’s that are sure to delight this age group.
- Ruby Roars - Allen & Unwin, 2008. Ruby is a tasmanian devil. She loves to make scary noises, but no-one is afraid.
- Chatterbox - Penguin Books, 2006. Daisy is a baby who doesn't say a word. When will Daisy be ready to talk?
- Kiss, Kiss! - Little Hare, 2003. Baby Hippo was so eager to play that he forgot to give his mum a kiss.
- The Midnight Feast - ABC Books, 2001. Baby Brenda can't stay in bed. Her gang is waiting for a midnight feast.
- Little Humpty - Little Hare Books, 2003. Little Humpty has always been happy, alone with his mother in the desert, but now he's old enough to have friends.
- Baby Bird's Blankie - Working Title Press, 2008. Baby Bird loves his blankie but he'd rather play than sleep.
Books For Students in Grades K-2
Lower primary students are ready for more challenging books that deal sensitively with issues that affect them such as fear, loss, friendship and death.
- The Very Best of Friends - Scholastic, 1990. Jessie and James have a cat called William. James loves William but Jessie doesn’t. When James dies, can Jessie and William find comfort in each other?
- Miss Lily’s Fabulous Pink Feather Boa - Penguin Books, 1999. The Last Potoroo is captivated by Miss Lily’s pink, feather boa and just has to touch it. But can she keep it safe and what will happen when Miss Lily finds out?
- There’s a Sea in my Bedroom - Penguin Books, 1987. David is afraid of the sea. One day he finds a conch shell and hears the ocean trapped inside.
- The Pocket Dogs - Scholastic, 2001. Biff and Buff are two little dogs who travel everywhere in Mr Pocket’s coat pockets. What will happen when one pocket gets a hole?
- Old Pig - Allen & Unwin, 1997. Old Pig Has taught Granddaughter how to care for herself. Now it's time to say goodbye. A book about death that celebrates the joy of living.
Books For Students in Grades 3-6
Picture books are an excellent tool to initiate discussion with upper primary students. These books cover themes such as homelessness, friendship, death and the Holocaust, while celebrating the human spirit.
- Woolvs in the Sitee – Penguin, 2006. Ben lives alone in a basement flat, afraid of the ‘woolvs’ that roam the city outside.
- Fox – Allen & Unwin, 2000. Dog cannot see and Magpie cannot fly. They look after each other, until Fox comes along.
- Jenny Angel – Penguin, 2002. Jenny’s brother is very sick. She tries to be his guardian angel and keep him alive.
- Let the Celebrations Begin! – Omnibus, 1991. In the concentration camp, Miriam and the women are planning a party, sewing toys for the children from the rags of their clothes.
Margaret Wild has won many awards for her picture books. Her ability lies in the sensitive way she deals with difficult topics and the way she always manages to show joy and strength of character within adversity.
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