Melanie Drewery

Melanie Jane Drewery (born 1970) is a New Zealand children's writer, illustrator and potter, best-known for her Nanny Mihi series of children's picture books. Her books feature Māori language and culture. She has said she believes it is important for New Zealand children to see their culture reflected in books. In 2008 her book Tahi: One Lucky Kiwi won the award for Best Picture Book at the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Life and career Drewery was born in Palmerston North in 1970. She is of Māori descent, affiliated with the iwi of Ngāti Māhanga, She attended Queen Charlotte College in Picton, and obtained a certificate in craft and design from Nelson Polytechnic. She has been based in Nelson for many years. She has said it took her 13 years of sending manuscripts to publishers before her first children's book was published.

Her best-known books are the Nanny Mihi picture book series, first published in 2001 and usually illustrated by Tracy Duncan. Many of her books are available in both English and Māori editions, with the English versions using key Māori language words and phrases. She has explained that she believes "it's important for children to have their culture reflected for them". The character of Nanny Mihi was adapted for children's television show Tau Kē on Māori Television in 2007, played by Robynleigh Emery. Emery also produced a CD collection of original songs as Nanny Mihi during Māori Language Week.

In 2004 she received a Creative New Zealand grant of 6000 towards her writing. In 2005 her book Koro's Medicine was a finalist for best picture book at the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. The Māori translation, Nga Rongoa a Koro (translated by Kararaina Uatuku) won the Te Kuru Pounamu Award at the 2005 LIANZA Children's Book Awards. Also in 2008, the Wellington Children's Book Association distributed free copies of her book Papa's Island, about an Italian father held prisoner on Matiu / Somes Island during World War II, to mark Anzac Day.

Selected works Nanny Mihi series

Nanny Mihi & the Rainbow (Reed, 2001), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi's Garden (Reed, 2002), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi's Birthday Surprise (Reed, 2003), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi's Treasure Hunt (Reed, 2004), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi's Christmas (Reed, 2006), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi and the Bellbird (Oratia Books, 2018), illustrated by Tracy Duncan Nanny Mihi's Medicine / Ngā Rongoā a Nanny Mihi (Oratia Books, 2022), illustrated by Suzanne Simpson

Other works

Matariki (Reed, 2003 and Puffin, 2009), illustrated by Bruce Potter The Treasure (Reed, 2003), illustrated by Bruce Potter Child of Aotearoa (Reed, 2004), illustrated by Bruce Potter Koro's Medicine (Huia, 2004), illustrated by Sabrina Malcolm Papa's Island (Reed, 2006), illustrated by Fifi Colston The Grumble Rumble Mumbler (Huia, 2007), illustrated by Josh Smith and Stacey Macfarlane Itiiti's Gift (Reed, 2007), illustrated by Fifi Colston Dad's Takeaways (Mallinson Rendel, 2007), illustrated by Christopher White The Mad Tadpole Adventure (Scholastic, 2007), illustrated by Jenny Cooper Tahi: One Lucky Kiwi (Random House, 2007), illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly Big Fish, Little Fish (Raupo, 2008) Jiminy Shows Off (Mallinson Rendel, 2008) Stories from our Night Sky (Picture Puffin, 2009), illustrated by Jenny Cooper Yucky Mucky (Duck Creek Press, 2012), illustrated by Trevor Pye Fishing Fame (Scholastic, 2012), illustrated by John Bennett