One of New Zealand's best known children's authors is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato.
Tauranga-based, internationally acclaimed Dame Lynley Dodd has sold more than nine million books during her career and has written 32 books in total. She'll receive her honorary doctorate at a special ceremony at Mills Reef Winery on November 11.
'It's a great honour to present this award to a person who through her writing and illustrating has become a household name,” says University Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford.

Dame Lynley Dodd reading to students at Greerton Village School this morning. She is scheduled to do the same on Thursday at Tauriko School.

'I suspect any home that has children living in it or visiting will have one of Dame Lynley's books.”
My Cat likes to Hide in Boxes, co-written with Eve Sutton was Dame Lynley's first success, the Nickle Nackle Tree written and illustrated by Dame Lynley was next, and not too long after came Hairy Maclary. The scrappy dog from Donaldson's Dairy was the catalyst for 18 more in the ‘Hairy' series.
Dame Lynley says the feedback she receives for her work is what keeps her going.

Greerton Village School students welcome Dame Lynley Dodd.

"All of us in the business of writing and illustrating for children know that feedback from the consumers is vital, so to receive a letter from a child saying, ‘Your books rock,' is to make all the hard slog at desk and easel worthwhile.”
Dame Lynley Dodd has won at least 10 literary awards, was awarded the Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 and this year made the decision to accept the title of Dame.
Meanwhile, children at primary schools in the Tauranga region have been taking part in a competition to create a ‘friend' for Hairy Maclary with a Tauranga focus.
Tauranga libraries are also getting into the spirit, with readings of Dame Lynley's books from November 2, displays of her books, and showcasing pictures and profiles from the competition at all four libraries in the area – Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Greerton and Papamoa.
Competition winners will receive signed copies of Dame Lynley's books from her at a ceremony in the Tauranga Central Library on November 6, and the three prize winners and their parents will also be invited to the conferral of Dame Lynley's University of Waikato Honorary Doctorate on November 11.