Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand | Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa
Sherryl Jordan’s path to publication was long and arduous. She learned her craft by attending seminars and listening to other writers; through criticism and rewriting; and through determination and perseverance. Of the 27 picture books and 12 novels she wrote in her apprenticeship years, only three picture books were published. Her 13th novel, Rocco, which won the AIM Book of the Year in 1991, proved to be a turning point, although she had been in print as an illustrator before then.
Sherryl trained in sign language as part of her work as a teacher’s aide working with deaf children and this was one of the inspirations for her novel The Raging Quiet. Afflicted with occupational overuse syndrome in 1989, she recovered slowly and was able to return to writing. In her books Sherryl explores what she calls the boundless spaces between fact and fantasy, the real truth and the truth we imagine. All her books are expressions of her own spiritual journey through life – of her dreams, her battles, her fears and triumphs.
Sherryl loves writing of Medieval times, of village life influenced deeply by the seasons, by seed-time and harvest, summer and winter. A recurring theme in her books is the everyday struggle of ordinary people, who must fight against intolerance, prejudice and superstition in order to become the extraordinary men and women they were born to be. Most of Sherryl’s days are spent writing, though she also enjoys tai chi, music, arts and crafts, and spending time with family and friends.
Illustrations
Books
Many of Sherryl’s books have been published overseas, and in translation. This list includes only the New Zealand publisher and publications.
Sherryl has also had numerous articles published, and children’s stories read on National Radio (now RNZ National)
Sherryl has also won numerous overseas awards adn accoldaes for her books, in the USA and Europe.