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

Profile

Gillian Torckler

PhD

Gillian Torckler was born in England in 1964, moved to Canada with her family at the age of five, and eventually to New Zealand when she was 13 years old. She has a PhD in medical science and specialises in ultrasound imaging of the heart. She now balances her writing with part-time medical research at the University of Otago.

Some of Gillian’s passions in life are the sea, the bush and travelling. She and her husband, photographer Darryl Torckler, have cared for a native kauri forest and like to explore, dive and snorkel in the oceans around New Zealand. Gillian’s books reflect these passions – exploring New Zealand’s underwater world, bush animals, and her love of history. Many of her books have been illustrated by her husband, photographer Darryl Torckler, and although they are classified as non-fiction, they are far from boring and most contain a story or two. The Torcklers strive to make New Zealand nature interesting and accessible to Kiwi kids. Their books have mostly used unusual formats – the fun poems that have you guessing animals’ identities in the What Am I? series or the truly real-size picture of fish and other marine animals in the Real-Size Guides series. Or imagining the daily activities in the forest and at the seashore in their 24 Hours series.

Gillian’s first picture book, The Stuck There Forever Boat (illustrated by Bruce Potter), tells a personal story of the effects of global warming on a small Pacific Island. Her second picture book, My Name is Henry Fanshaw (illustrated by Adele Jackson), tells the story of RNZAF Squadron in the second world war through the narration of the mascot, a teddy named Henry Fanshaw. Her third picture book, My Aunt Honor (illustrated by Adele Jackson), tells the true story of her great aunt who served and died in active service during second world war.

gillian

Selected bibliography:

  • Underwater Wonders of New Zealand, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 1999)
  • Snorkelling – Kiwi Adventures, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2002)
  • Trout Fishing – Kiwi Adventures, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2002)
  • What Am I? – Water, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2003)
  • Life Size Guide to New Zealand Fish, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Random House 2003)
  • What Am I? – In the Bush, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2004)
  • Real Size Guide to the New Zealand Rocky Shore, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Random House 2004)
  • Destination Auckland, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2006)
  • Destination Southern Lakes, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Reed 2007)
  • The Stuck There Forever Boat, illustrated by Bruce Potter (Reed 2007)
  • 24 Hours on the Kiwi Shore, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Bateman 2020)
  • Coastlines, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Bateman 2020)
  • My Name is Henry Fanshaw, illustrated by Adele Jackson (Bateman 2021)
  • New Zealand Birds of the Week/Ngā Manu o Te Wiki, photographs by Darryl Torckler (Bateman 2023)
  • My Aunt Honor, illustrated by Adele Jackson (Bateman 2023)

Awards:

Storylines Notable Book Award for My Name is Henry Fanshaw, illustrated by Adele Jackson (Bateman 2021)

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