Maria Gill

Author Maria Gill has written over 60 children’s and teacher’s books over the last 20 years.

She has a background as a Primary and Intermediate school teacher and has a Bachelor of Education degree. When she went full-time as a writer she completed a Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies and a Masters in Creative Writing degree.

Maria’s book ‘New Zealand Hall of Fame’ won the 2012 Children’s Choice (nonfiction category). ‘Anzac Heroes’ won the NZCYA Nonfiction Award, as well as the Supreme Book of the Year prize. Eleven of her books have been Storyline Notable Books. In 2020, Storylines awarded Maria the Margaret Mahy Medal for services to children’s literature.

Maria writes books that encourage children to care for the environment and animals, inspire them to reach for their dreams with her famous New Zealander books, and be safe during disasters with her volcano, earthquake, and New Zealand Disaster books. She also travels the country giving author talks in schools and Write Like an Author writing workshops. Maria also runs the KidsBooksNZ blog with a wide array of reviews of books for children and teens.