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Melanie Koster

Born on the wild West Coast of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, Melanie was brought up in a book-loving, story-telling family. She lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch with her family of artists, inventors and tinkerers.

Melanie has been shortlisted six times for the Storylines Joy Cowley Award and was the winner of the award in 2022. She is a picture book author and her writing has been published in The School Magazine (Australia). Melanie works as a Kaiāwhina Kaiako/Teacher Assistant at a local primary school, where she enjoys helping young writers hone their craft.

Melanie Koster 2024

Selected bibliography:

  • The Wonderful Stranges, illustrated by Monica Koster (Bateman Books 2025)
  • Elephant Park illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic 2024)
  • Tama and the Taniwha, illustrated by Monica Koster (Scholastic 2023)
  • Ko Tama me te Taniwha illustrated by Monica Koster, translated by Pānia Papa (Scholastic 2023)
  • Milly Maloo and the Miracle Glue, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic NZ 2011)
  • The Reluctant Little Flower Girl, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Mallinson Rendel 2008)
  • Feeding the Eels (The School Magazine, Australia)
  • Boy in the Garden (The School Magazine, Australia)
  • The Rememberator (The School Magazine, Australia)

Awards:

  • 2025 Shortlisted, NZ Booklovers Award for Elephant Park
  • 2024 Storylines Notable Book Award, Picture Book list for Elephant Park
  • 2024 Shortlisted NZ Booklovers Award  for Tama and the Taniwha
  • 2023 Storylines Notable Book Award, Te Reo Māori list for Ko Tama me te Taniwha
  • 2023 Storylines Notable Book Award, Picture Book list for Tama and the Taniwha
  • 2022 Winner Storylines Joy Cowley Award for Tama and the Taniwha

Other Resources:

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Storylines Trust Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki and Friends of Storylines Te Pou o Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki together form New Zealand’s only national organisation working year-round to promote New Zealand children’s and young adult literature through activities that include a major national Story Tour to schools, early childhood centres and communities, and awards for writers, illustrators and those who work in the area of New Zealand children’s literature

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