Raymond Huber
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Huber, Raymond (1958 - ) was born in Christchurch, and lives mainly in Dunedin. Huber has a Bachelor of Horticultural Science (1980), a Bachelor of Education (1991) and a Diploma in Children’s Literature (2001). He has been a community worker; a gardener; a primary school teacher; and has worked as a writer and editor since 2004.
Huber released In Motion and Technology Now, both published by Thomson Nelson in 2007, and he has written thirteen Primary School Textbooks for ESA Publications (2000-2008). He has written readers for US Core Literacy Programmes and has had articles in the School Journal. He has had short fiction published in Hideous and Hilarious (Random House NZ, 2007) and Showtime (Random House NZ, 2008). He has a story in the Te Papa children's book, Curioseum (2014). Huber was the McGonagall poetry prize winner in 2005.
Walker Books, Australia, is Raymond Huber's main publisher. Sting (2009) was a finalist in the junior fiction category of the 2010 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children. Sue Hoffart in North and South wrote that the book, ‘May be the first children’s novel from a bee’s point of view…adventure with a sense of humour and a serious eco message.’ Sharon Greenway reviewed the novel for Magpies, ‘It is because of his individualism that Ziggy becomes a hero and also finds his heart’s desire. A strong message that says it’s okay to be different.’ The author writes, ‘Sting brings together my love of children’s literature and science. I wanted to create an adventure with a small hero who saves the world. Honey bees proved perfect characters.’
Wings (2011) was a finalist Sir Julius Vogel Awards (Science Fiction and Fantasy). The Sydney Morning Herald review stated 'Huber creates courageous characters with whom readers will empathise instantly.' It was included in the NZ Listener's Top 50 books of the year: 'This bee’s-knees sequel is worth it just for the awareness it raises of the plight of the world’s bees.'
Flight of the Honey Bee (2013) is a hardback picture book published in the US, the Uk, Australia, Denmark and New Zealand. It is ‘lyrical non-fiction’, a mix of science and poetic story-form. The illustrations by Brian Lovelock also blend art and science, with accurate insects upon expressive backgrounds. Kirkus Reviews said, 'This handsome, respectful volume deserves a place on the shelf … it succeeds in accurately dramatizing honey bee behavior.' And Peta Andersen from Walker Books wrote, 'It’s rare to find a book which is so inextricably tied to events children can relate to while at the same time presenting a story so unlike theirs.'
Flight of the Honey Bee was a finalist in the Non-Fiction category of the 2014 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Raymond’s book is Peace Warriors (Mākaro Press, 2015) tells the stories of people who chose non-violent resistance in times of conflict. A war hero who refused to kill again; students who stood up to a dictator; a ship that sailed into a nuclear test zone; a whole village that used non-violence against the Nazis. These twenty stories from New Zealand and the world show that peaceful resistance and people power can be more effective than military force. David Hill describes it as ‘compelling and engrossing; the Otago Daily Times said it is 'Full of hope and notions of empowerment.’
In 2020, Huber's book Tree Beings (Exisle Publishing) met international acclaim. With a foreword by Jane Goodall and beautiful illustrations by Sandra Severgnini, Tree Beings is an adventure through the secret world of these important plants, challenging the perception that trees are just ‘silent statues.’ A review in The Sapling explains that 'it’s hard not to feel inspired to act by this book, no matter your age…. (this book is) beautifully designed and illustrated.'
Tree Beings was named the 2021 winner of the Wilderness Environment Award for Children's Literature.
MEDIA LINKS AND CLIPS
- Raymond Huber’s website
- Otago Daily Times article about Raymond Huber
- RNZ interview with Jim Mora
