Hazel Townson

Hazel Townson (12 April 1928 – 11 October 2010) was an English children's-literature author. She had over seventy books published from 1975 onwards, including in countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, France and Japan.

Townson released three series of books: The Lenny and Jake series (between 1981 and 1997), Tiger Young Readers''' series (1989–1992) and The Speckled Panic series (1982–1995). Her final release, two years before her death in 2010, was Deathwood Damian Strikes Again.

Career Hazel Townson began her writing career with Punch magazine, for which she was a regular contributor for many years. The magazine invited her to write reviews of children's books, which would eventually lead to her writing her own material. She also worked as Chief Assistant Librarian for part of Greater Manchester, a role that included responsibility for libraries in 110 schools, eleven public children's libraries, and four colleges.

Her first book, entitled Looking for Lossie, was published in 1975.

She frequently visited schools, libraries, colleges and writers' groups to talk about children's literature and to assist with creative writing. Following its formation in 1985, Townson chaired the panel for the annual "Lancashire Children's Book of the Year" award.

In 2005, Virgin Atlantic selected her most-recent book The Adventures of a Lottery Winner for inclusion in around 50,000 children's on-board goodie bags.

Personal life Born in Nelson, Lancashire, Townson was brought up in the Pendle valley. She attended Accrington High School and then studied English at the University of Leeds. She was married to Kenneth Smith; they had two children. Townson died on 11 October 2010, aged 82, of Alzheimer's disease. She had been living in Prestwich Hills, Greater Manchester.