Martin Waddell
You might not have heard of Martin Waddell. In fact, even if you do know of him, you might think that he is far too new an author to have made any impact on the world of children’s literature. You would be mistaken!
Born on April 10th, 1941 in the city of Belfast, Waddell’s first night of life was spent under a metal-topped table sheltering from bombs during the Second World War. His childhood was spent in Belfast during a period of political unrest. This was to have a deep impact on the author.
Martin Waddell’s first ambition in life was to become a professional footballer. However, this was not to be and his next career choice was to be an author. Initially, Waddell intended to write adult fiction, much of which was influenced by his background and surroundings. A lot of his work was written under the pseudonym of Catherine Sefton. The name Martin Waddell was kept for books he described as ‘for amusement only’. However, his forte was writing for children.
In 1972 his first children’s book was published, entitled Blue Velvet Dress. However, tragedy struck just as his career was getting off the ground. Waddell was involved in a bomb explosion which left him unable to work for six years. Upon his recovery though, Waddell made up for lost time and has now written in excess of two hundred books!
The author has always clung to his Irish roots and a lot of his stories are influenced from the things that have happened to him and his family (which includes three children) at their home near the foot of the Mountain of Mourne in Newcastle, Co. Down. Describing this influence, the author states that ‘I dream my stories in the garden and on long walks on the beach in front of my house. I never write anywhere else. This is where I belong’.
But has Martin Waddell truly had an impact on children’s literature? If you don’t want to take my word for it then surely the list of awards to his name are proof enough. The author has twice won the Smarties Book Prize for the books Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? and Farmer Duck, (which was also the Winner of the British Book Awards, Illustrated Children’s Book Of The Year). He has also won the Best Book For Babies Award for Rosie’s Babies and the Kurt Maschler Award for The Park In The Dark. His most recent and prestigious award has to be winning the 2004 Hans Christian Andersen Author Award. Waddell is the first Irish author to ever win this international award and it is considered the highest international recognition given to creator’s of children’s books.
Waddell writes for young people of all ages with a simplicity and warmth that is outstanding. His experience as a writer is shown by the consistantly high standard of his books and his wonderful use of rich and potent language through all of his work, whether for the simple picture book or novels for older readers.
My favourite Martin Waddell stories will always be his picture books. He has been teamed with some of the most talented illustrators or our time including Helen Oxenbury and Barbara Firth, and the combination of Waddell’s rich and powerful stories with the glorious illustrations of talented artists has been stunning. Possibly the best example of this is the book You And Me, Little Bear. Its delightful!
I can only hope that if you have not done so already, you will sample the wonderful author that is Martin Waddell and agree with me that his books have truly made an important and lasting contribution to children’s literature!
Contributed by Claire Waldron
(Published on 8th Oct 2013 )
