How a self-described slow learner became a global icon of children's literature

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Margaret Mahy wrote over 160 books, blending supernatural elements with the raw realities of growing up. Despite hating mathematics and struggling in school, she evolved into one of the world's most celebrated authors, earning the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her profound, imaginative, and enduring contribution to literature.

Born in 1936 in Whakatāne, New Zealand, Margaret Mahy was the eldest of five children. Her early creative spark was ignited by her father, a bridge builder who shared adventure stories with his children. Though she later identified as a slow learner who particularly loathed mathematics, she published her first story, 'Harry is Bad', at age seven. This early start became a cornerstone of her later advocacy, as she frequently shared the piece with students to demonstrate that writing is an accessible craft at any age.

Mahy’s career path was unconventional; she trained as a librarian in 1956 and worked in the field for decades, including a stint as Children’s Librarian at the Canterbury Public Library. It was during this period that her writing flourished, with many stories appearing in the New Zealand School Journal. By 1980, she transitioned to full-time writing, eventually producing a vast body of work that included over 100 picture books, 40 novels, and 20 short story collections. Her novels, such as The Haunting and The Changeover, earned her two Carnegie Medals, a feat achieved by only seven writers as of 2012.

Her work was defined by a unique ability to weave the numinous and the supernatural into the fabric of everyday life. The jury for the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Medal praised her as a master re-inventor of language, noting that her stories provided a metaphorical arena for the experience of childhood. Beyond her accolades, Mahy was a vibrant personality—at age 62, she even got a skull tattoo to research a character’s experience. She passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be honored through awards, playgrounds, and a body of work translated into over a dozen languages.

The impact of her writing is perhaps best captured by the Phoenix Award, which recognizes books that rise from obscurity to find lasting success. Mahy was one of only three authors to win this honor twice. From her inaugural lecture 'Surprising Moments' to her final posthumous publication, Tale of a Tail, Mahy remained a dedicated, original voice whose influence on children’s literature remains unmatched.

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