Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand | Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa

Profile

David Elliot

David Elliot is an award-winning children’s illustrator and author. Born and raised in Ashburton he has had a varied career, working as a zoo gatekeeper, a dishwasher in Antarctica, an interior designer, and a teacher, before becoming a full-time illustrator and writer in 1998.

David has illustrated for many New Zealand children’s authors, including Jack Lasenby, Joy Cowley and Janet Frame. He has also written and illustrated eight picture books, including the Sydney Penguin books, the Henry Pig books, Pigtails the Pirate (winner of the 2003 NZ Post Children’s Picture Book Award) and in 2018 he published Oink. In 2017, his book for older readers, Snark, Being A True History Of The Expedition That Discovered The Snark And The Jabberwock…And Its Tragic Aftermath won multiple awards including the Russell Clark Award for illustration, The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year, a White Raven Award from the International Youth Library, and was included in the 2018 IBBY Honour List.

In 2009, David illustrated The Word Witch, by the internationally acclaimed Margaret Mahy; this won the Honour Award in the NZ Post Picture Book category. In 2010, he and Margaret again worked together, on The Moon and Farmer McPhee, which won the NZ Post Children’s Book of the Year Award for 2011. The same year David also received the inaugural Arts Foundation Mallinson Rendel Award. In 2014 David was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for his lifetime contribution to children’s literature in New Zealand.

Internationally, David has provided illustrations for Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Castaways series, John Flanagan’s bestselling Ranger’s Apprentice series and also for US authors T.A. Barron and Jeffrey Kluger. His own picture book, Henry’s Map, published New York publisher Philomel Books, was chosen by the American School Library Journal for its Best Books List in 2013.

Since 2008, the Ashburton Art Gallery has been curating and regularly exhibiting David’s work. His illustrations can be viewed on his website and selected artwork can be purchased in his own ‘Flying Whale Gallery’. He lives in Port Chalmers, near Dunedin with his wife Gillian. He has two adult daughters, Mhairi and Jess and in 2018 he dedicated Oink to his first grandchild.

david-elliot

Selected bibliography:

  • Oink, Gecko Press (2018)
  • Snark: being a true history of the expedition that discovered the Snark and the Jabberwock…and its tragic aftermath by David Elliot after Lewis Carroll, (Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2016
  • The Skeleth ( The Nethergrim Book 2) Philomel Books (2016)
  • Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas, by Jonathan W. Stokes, Philomel Books [2016)
  • Henry’s Stars, Philomel Books, USA/Random House, NZ (2015, translated into Korean and Chinese)
  • Brotherband Chronicles Book 5: Scorpion Mountain, text by John Flanagan,Philomel Books (2014)
  • The Nethergrim, text by Matthew Jobin, Philomel Books (2014)
  • Henry’s Map, Philomel Books, USA/Random House, NZ (2013, translated into Korean, Chinese and Chinese simple)
  • Brotherband Chronicles Book 1: The Outcasts, text by John Flanagan, Philomel Books (2011)
  • Ranger’s Apprentice – The Lost Stories, text by John Flanagan, Philomel Books
  • Snargijaht [The Hunting of the Snark] by Lewis Carroll, Tanapaev, Estonia (2010)
  • The Moon & Farmer McPhee text by Margaret Mahy (Random House 2010)
  • The Word Witch text by Margaret Mahy, edited by Tessa Duder (HarperCollins 2009)
  • Doomwyte [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2008)
  • Eulalia [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2007)
  • Chicken Feathers, by Joy Cowley (Philomel Books & Penguin NZ 2007)
  • Nacky Patcher and the Curse of the Dry Land Boats, text by Jeffrey Kluger (Philomel Books 2007)
  • The Voyage of Slaves Command [The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series], text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2006)
  • The Hunting of the Snark text by Lewis Carroll (Limited edition) (Otakau Press 2006)
  • High Rhulain [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2005)
  • Mona Minim and the Smell of the Sun, text by Janet Frame (Random House 2005).
  • The Eternal Flame [The Great Tree of Avalon series] text by T.A. Barron (Philomel Books 2004)
  • Shadows on the Stars [The Great Tree of Avalon series] text by T.A. Barron (Philomel Books 2004)
  • Rakkety Tam [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2004)
  • Child of the Dark Prophecy[The Great Tree of Avalon series] text by T.A. Barron (Philomel Books 2004)
  • The Angel’s Command [The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2003)
  • Loamhedge [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2003)
  • Aunt Effie’s Ark, text by Jack Lasenby (Longacre Press 2003)
  • Pigtails the Pirate (Random House 2002, translated into Korean)
  • Triss [Redwall series] text by Brian Jacques (Philomel Books 2002)
  • Aunt Effie, text by Jack Lasenby (Longacre Press 2002)
  • Another 30 New Zealand Stories for Children, edited by Barbara Else (Random House 2002)
  • Another 100 New Zealand Poems for Children, edited by Rachel McAlpine (Random House 2001)
  • Stumpy’s Secret, text by Mandy Hager (Learning Media 2000)
  • 30 New Zealand Stories for Children, edited by Jo Noble (Random House 2000)
  • Sydney and the Whalebird (Random House 2000, translated into Korean)
  • Annie and Rufus, text by Pauline Cartwright (Bridge Hill 1999)
  • Sydney and the Seamonster (Random House 1999; translated into Korean)
  • 100 New Zealand Poems for Children, edited by Jo Noble (Random House 1999)
  • Arthur and the Dragon, text by Pauline Cartwright (Nelson Price Milburn 1989)
  • Dragon Tangle (Ashton Scholastic 1994)
  • Arthur’s Star (Whitcoulls 1986).

Awards:

  • Winner Margaret Mahy Book of the Year and Russell Clark Award for illustration, 2017 New Zealand Children and Young Adults Book Awards for Snark: Being a true history of the expedition that discovered the Snark and the Jabberwock… and its tragic aftermath
  • Storylines Notable Book Award 2016 (Picture Book) for Henry’s Stars
  • 2014 IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List 2014 for The Word Witch
  • IBBY Honour List 2012 for Illustration for The Moon & Farmer McPhee
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2011 Picture Books List for The Moon & Farmer McPhee.
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2011 Picture Book Winner for The Moon & Farmer McPhee
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2011 Book of the Year for The Moon & Farmer McPhee
  • Russell Clark Award 2011 Finalist for The Moon & Farmer McPhee
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2010 Picture Book Finalist and Honour Award Winner for The Word Witch
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2009 Junior Fiction Shortlist for Chicken Feathers
  • Spectrum Print Book Design Awards 2006 Best Children’s Book Award for Mona Minim and the Smell of the Sun
  • Spectrum Print Book Design Awards 2006 Best Book Highly Commended for Mona Minim and the Smell of the Sun
  • Russell Clarke Award 2003 Shortlist for Pigtails the Pirate
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2003 Picture Book Winner for Pigtails the Pirate
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2003 Picture Books List for Pigtails the Pirate
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2001 Picture Books List for Sydney and the Whalebird
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2000 Picture Book Shortlist for Sydney and the Sea Monster
  • University of Otago College of Education Writer in Residence 2000
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2000 Non-fiction list for 100 New Zealand Poems for Children
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2000 Picture Books list for Sydney and the Sea Monster
  • Russell Clarke Award 1995 Shortlist for Dragon Tangle
  • Best Illustration Title in Interactive Category, International Television Association New Zealand 1995 for the CD ROM Mung: The Only Pirate Left
  • Bursary Award for Illustration QEII Arts Council/Unilever/Choysa Award 1991 for Dragon Tangle
  • Russell Clarke Award 1991 Winner for Arthur and the Dragon

Exhibitions

  • 2018 Snark, A Victorian Odyssey – David Elliot, Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre, Nov 27th- Feb 11th
  • 2016 Revisiting the Magic – David Elliot: The Word Witch 11 Aug-25 Sept ‘16. Revisiting the magic of Word Witch, initially toured in 2009, Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre, Ashburton
  • 2015 The Great Bridge Brouhaha – Foyer artwork and publication. Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre.
  • 2014 Downunder Uncovered ,18 – 19 January ’14. Part of the Exhibition Illustre Gestalten 06 of Illustratoren Darmstadt, Central Station Darmstadt, Germany
  • 2013-14 Henry’s Map – David Elliot, Ashburton Art Gallery 16 Nov ‘13 – 2 Feb ’14, exhibition and author talk, Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton
  • The Making of The Word Witch, Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton (2009–2010)
  • The Adventures of Sydney Penguin: The Story of a New Zealand Picture Book, Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton (2008).
  • Rare Delights II: Recent Additions to Special Collections: Including The Hunting of the Snark Illustrated by David Elliot, Special Collections de Beer Gallery, Central Library, University of Otago, Dunedin (2008)
  • Printer in Residence Programme: Limited hand-printed edition (101 copies) of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark, printed by Tara McLeod, illustrated by David Elliot, Special Collections, Central Library, University of Otago, Dunedin (2006)
  • Mrs McGinty and Friends: Exhibition of Picture Book Art, Christchurch Writers Festival & Te Tai Tamariki Children’s Book Trust, Our City, Christchurch (2006)
  • The Wolf in the Plantation: 20 years of Illustration by David Elliot, Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton (2005–2006)
  • Mona Minim and the Smell of the Sun: Book launch and display of original illustrations, Hocken Foyer, University of Otago, Dunedin (2005)
  • Straight Jackets: The Art of the Book Jacket, Special Collections de Beer Gallery, Central Library, University of Otago, Dunedin (2004–2005)
  • Books & Beyond: Illustrators Exhibition, Cloister Gallery Room, Arts Centre, Christchurch (2002)
  • Show Me! Artwork by New Zealand Children’s Book Illustrators, National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, and South Island (touring smaller centres) (1998–2000)
  • Exhibition of New Zealand Children’s Illustrators’ Art. Organised by the Waikato Children’s Literature Association, Hamilton Public Library (1997)
  • ASB Bank Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators: The Painted Bus Tour – around Auckland schools (1997); New Zealand Herald
  • Picture Book Art Exhibition, Aotea Centre, Auckland (1997)
  • Illustrations in Aotearoa: Original Book Illustrations and Artworks on a Literary Theme. In conjunction with Dunedin Writers Week (1993)

Other Resources:

The Flying Whale

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