THIS GUY ->
WRITES STUFF

HELLO!

… and thanks for stopping by. My name is Mark and I love to write picture books! For the best part of twenty years I’ve had the pleasure of dreaming them up and creating them for big and little kids alike.

BOOKS

Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes cheeky, my books have been described in terms as diverse as ‘laugh-out-loud funny.’ (Baa Baa Smart Sheep - National Radio) to ‘warm, reassuring and beautifully crafted.’ (Because You Are You - KidsBooksNZ). To date they have been published across 16 countries in 13 languages, picking up a number of literary and design awards along the way.

ABOUT

I was born and have lived most of my life in New Zealand (all the while travelling further afield as many of us “Kiwi’s” are inclined to do!). My passion for words started at a very young age. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved playing with them: dreaming, philosophising, arranging and rearranging them: rhyming, inventing and shaping them into poems, musings, songs and - of course - stories!

Over the years I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with some of the world’s leading publishers including Scholastic, Harper Collins (AUS), Candlewick Press (USA), Editions Milan (France), and Carlsen Verlag in Germany. Currently I live and create in the lakeside town of Wanaka - famous for its beautiful vistas, stunning walks, and New Zealand’s most photographed tree.

MUSINGS

 As well as creating picture books, I also often amuse myself with musings and writing poetry - a small selection of which you can read here

BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU

“A lovely, heartwarming, reassuring little book.” Kiwi Reviews

My latest book, Because You Are You, is out now! Described as “beautiful” (Suzy Cato, Treehut TV) it’s as a story that “celebrates the power of love, imagination and empathy.” (Paula Green, The Poetry Box). I had such fun creating this book with Glenorchy-based artist Diine, whose “beautifully crafted, delicate and enchanting illustrations” (Maria Gill, KidsBooksNZ) have brought this story so vibrantly to life.

THANKS FOR VISITING

I hope you enjoy getting to know me through my work.
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