Joan de Hamel was born in England in 1924, educated in Switzerland and at Oxford University. She was a teacher of French in London and later at Dunedin Teachers College. She came to New Zealand with her husband and three small sons in 1955 intending a short stay of three years. They are still here, in Dunedin, breeding donkeys and goats on a small farm. She has five sons and several grandchildren. Joan passed away in 2011.
Selected bibliography:
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X Marks the Spot (Lutterworth Press 1973 / Puffin 1976 / Puffin 2007).
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Take the Long Path illustrated by Gareth Floyd (Lutterworth 1978 / Puffin 2007)
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Hemi’s Pet illustrated by Christine Ross (Reed Methuen 1985).
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The Third Eye (Viking Kestrel 1987).
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Hideaway (Puffin 1992).
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Hemi & the Shortie Pyjamas illustrated by Lyn Kriegler (Puffin 1996).
Awards:
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Esther Glen Medal 1979 for Take the Long Path.
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AW Reed Memorial Award 1985 for Hemi's Pet.
