Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz

Margaret Mahy Day should be declared New Zealand's national holiday. Margaret Mahy Day is a festival run annually by Storylines to celebrate New Zealand children's literature in general and, in particular, our very own Word Witch, Margaret Mahy.

The ultimate award on the day is, naturally enough, the Margaret Mahy Medal – with a first-class lecture delivered by the recipient.

Kate Clark.

This year, Margaret Mahy, that feisty, perspicacious, and quick-witted children's author, delighted in presenting the medal to Kate de Goldi. Kate's lecture on ‘Legends of the Swamp' was a glorious affirmation of the importance of children's literature.

Kate outlined the intricate world we live in. This is where the learning comes into reading – every book you read, even a children's book, teaches you something.

She also shared her belief that much of any writer's task is to work out various ‘puzzlements and fancies.' And which author better illustrates this than Margaret Mahy? Even the names of her books are compelling. I find it impossible to resist such delights as Down in the Dump with Dinsmore or Portable Ghosts.

Tauranga was well-represented amongst the award winners. Sherryl Jordan received a Notable Book Award for her junior fiction, Finnigan and the Pirates. Susan Brocker received two: one for Dreams of Warriors (young adult fiction), and the other for Brave Bess and the Anzac Horses (non-fiction). Bess was the only horse of the 10,000 sent to Europe during World War 1 to return to New Zealand.

And I, a first time competitor, was short-listed for the Joy Cowley Picture Book Award. What a boost for any new writer and what a result for that writer's support network - including Tauranga Writers.

The various awards highlight how stunning and sturdy is New Zealand writing for children. We are blessed with a wealth of authors producing books that enable our children to be enquiring, literate and learned.

So why hasn't New Zealand children's literature conquered the rest of the world? Our books are as pertinent to overseas audiences as they are to New Zealand readership.

International acceptance would re-ignite the fire of New Zealand children's publishing, boosting the number of books published annually and the number of publishers operating in New Zealand.

In the meantime, Margaret Mahy Day remains not only a joyful celebration, but a recognition of the value of the many children's writers who, despite almost overwhelming odds, practice and perfect their craft.