Austlit

Jennifer Rowe has also written under the nom de plume of 'Emily Rodda'. After graduating from University of Sydney, Rowe worked for many years in the publishing industry and was previously the editor of the Women's Weekly magazine. She has written adult mysteries (under her real name) as well as children's books (as Emily Rodda). Writing for children came naturally to her when her own four children were growing up. She learned from them the things that made them laugh and cry, and what held their interest. She usually writes fantasies of the kind that are always firmly attached to real life. They grow out of real-life situations and states of mind. Her books are strongly plotted, with a little mystery, a touch of humour and a satisfying and well-rounded ending. Rodda's children's books have been widely acclaimed and she has won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers four times: for Something Special, Pigs Might Fly, The Best Kept Secret and Finders Keepers. Bob the Builder and the Elves won the Honor Book in the same category and recently it won the 'Coolest Book of the Decade - Primary' in the COOL awards for 2000. In 1995 Rowe was awarded the Dromkeen Medal for her contribution to Australian children's literature.