Dawn McMillan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McMillan, Dawn (1943 –) Former teacher Dawn McMillan is an internationally recognised writer of children’s books who lives north of Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula. Her books have been translated into at least seven languages and her Bum series titles have become bestsellers in the US and United Kingdom, as well as New Zealand.
Sea Secret, illustrated by Julia Crouth, was Dawn’s first picture book, published in 1998. It tells the story of a girl’s relationship with her grandmother which is changed forever when the girl’s family move to Australia. The publication of Sea Secrets inspired Dawn to pursue a dream of writing full-time and since then she has had over 200 educational texts and 37 picture books published.
Latest picture books
Sir Singlet (Oratia, 2020) illustrated by regular collaborator Ross Kinnaird.
There’s a Tui in our Teapot/ He Tūī kei rō Tīpāta (Oratia 2018) the first in the bilingual nature-related picture series, illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson with Maōri translation by Ngaere Roberts.
There’s a Weta on my Sweater/He Wētā kei runga i tōku Paraka (Oratia, 2020) the next in her billingual nature-related picture book series, illustrated by Stephanie Thatcher with Maōri translation by Ngaere Roberts. A third book in the series to be published in 2021.
I Need a New Bum! (Oratia 2012 reprinted to 2020. Scholastic UK, Dover US)
I’ve Broken my Bum! (Oratia 2019; Scholastic UK, Dover US )
My Bum is SO NOISY! (Oratia 2021, Scholastic UK, Dover US)
Home Child (Oratia 2019), the poignant true story of Pat Brown, whose father made the heart-wrenching decision in 1950 to send his children from London to New Zealand. Pat and her siblings enjoy the ship voyage, not knowing that they were never going home again. A wonderful story to share with older children.
Woolly Wally (Oratia reprinted to 2018) illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. Wally is a ram with attitude.
I need a New Bum! and other stories (Oratia 2017) including a reprint of the popular Doggy Doo on my shoe!.
Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things his Seagulls did! (Dover US 2109) illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, tells of an innovative plan to reclaim the beaches.
Doctor Grundy’s Undies (Oratia 2014 reprinted to 2017, Dover US 2019) illustrated by Ross Kinnaird - a book that is wonderful to read out loud with change of voices for the characters and actions.
Holy Socks, (Oratia 2017) illustrated by Philip Webb, a Christmas surprise that touches many hearts.
Mister Spears and his Hairy Ears (Oratia 2015) illustrated by Ross Kinnaird.
Squeakopotamus (Oratia 2016) illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, a fun story for the little ones.
Older favourites
Colour the Stars/Taea Nga Whetu, illustrated by Keinyo White. Colour the Stars featured in the Storyline Notable Picture Books 2013
The Harmonica, illustrated by Andrew Burden. The subject matter of a soldier who has been killed in service is a serious and important one to tackle for a children’s picture book. The Harmonica is a welcome addition to school resources, linking history to the current day for ANZAC learning
Charlie and his amazing tales: A story to be believed, or not.
Why do dogs sniff bottoms? was published in 2003 and is still in print. Dawn’s first work in verse; her discovery that rhyme is fun to write and fun to read, encouraging reluctant readers. Fun concepts in rhyme are enjoyed by adults too. Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms? has had quite a journey. It was shortlisted for the Picture Book Award and won the Children's Choice Award at the 2003 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (now New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults), and was included in the Storylines Notable Picture Book List the same year. In 2005 it was awarded the Booksellers NZ Gold Medal, and in 2009 it was translated into French.
Stranded is a non-fiction account of a whale stranding, illustrated with photographs by Ingrid Visser.
A Fishing Story/He Korero Hi Ika, illustrated by Julia Crouth, is a story about shared wisdom and a boy’s courage.
Ride a White Horse, illustrated by Julia Crouth, tells the story of a boy’s journey on a wild white horse of the sea, across the water to the shadow of an unknown and mysterious land.
Summer Blaze, illustrated by Dave Gunson, explains how the pohutukawa, New Zealand's Christmas tree, came to have its beautiful red flowers.
Doggy Doo on my Shoe, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, addresses an old problem that most of us know about!
Wood for the Winter, illustrated by Denise Durkin. Christopher loves helping his granddad and the two of them share a special bond. But when grandad dies Christopher has to look deep within himself to find a way to keep his memories alive.
Coming Home, illustrated by Dave Gunson, the story of Dawn’s house and the creatures that lived there before the builders came to renovate.
Where do Flies go in Winter? illustrated by Ross Kinnaird.
Weaving Together, illustrated by Vivienne Lingard. Jamie and her grandmother make a woven memory of all the wonderful and sad things that have happened in their lives.
Pancake Attack isillustrated by Dave Gunson. Jacko enters the Best Pancake Cook competition and his life will never be the same.
Why Cats Rule the World, and Dogs are Still Slaves, illustrated by Roger Twiname.
Turkey’s in the Sleigh Tonight, illustrated by Raymond McGrath.
Glasseye Creek, illustrated by Raymond McGrath, is a west coast fable with more than gold to be found.
Secrets: Three Stories from Dawn McMillan. Prose stories accompanied by stunning illustrations from three different artists.
Big Bouncer is illustrated by Ross Kinnaird.
Should I Kiss Tommy Aitkins? is McMillan’s first ‘choose your own adventure’ type book, a fun interactive story that young teenage girls will enjoy.
WRITERS IN SCHOOLS INFORMATION
Dawn is available for school visits as part of the Writers in Schools programme. She is happy to speak to classes of any size and to whole school assemblies. She enjoys speaking to students of any age, to share her experiences with picture book writing, educational books and wider writing challenges.
I would love to hear from any of my readers. My address is:
601 Thames Coast Road, Waiomu Bay, R D 5, Thames
My email address is dawn@dawnmcmillan.co.nz
My website is www.dawnmcmillan.co.nz. Explore my website and you’ll find a WIN A BOOK competition which is very easy to enter.
I am always happy to write a special message in any of my books and sign them. You can post them to me and then I'll post them back. Just remember to give me your return address.
MEDIA LINKS AND CLIPS
DAWN MCMILLAN'S WEBSITE
DAWN WRITES A RECKONING PIECE FOR THE SAPLING ON FIGHTING RELUCTANCE WITH HUMOUR
NZ BOOKLOVERS’ INTERVIEW WITH DAWN MCMILLAN
REVIEW OF SIR SINGLET ON THE SAPLING
THE SAPLING INTERVIEW DAWN MCMILLAN ABOUT HOME CHILD
CHRISTCHURCH LIBRARIES’ INTERVIEW WITH DAWN MCMILLAN
DAWN MCMILLAN'S PROFILE ON STORYLINES
AN INTERVIEW WITH DAWN MCMILLAN ON RADIO NEW ZEALAND
REVIEW OF I NEED A NEW BUTT! ON STARRY-EYED REVUE BLOG
REVIEW OF COLOUR THE STARS ON THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF NEW ZEALAND WEBSITE
REVIEW OF THE HARMONICA ON BOOKSELLERS NEW ZEALAND BLOG
