STORIES FOR CHILDREN

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 797, 29 October 1954, Page 5

STORIES FOR CHILDREN

Sir,-In Book Shop, heard from 1XN on October 4, I was interested in an interview with a member of the Country Schoo] Library. In this interview the librarian stated that there was a demand for stories for children with a New Zealand setting. The chairman concluded the interview with these words-‘Well, there’s a chance for New Zealand writers." It may interest readers to know that many writers in New Zealand are eager and willing to write such stories. The point is, that there is no one here to publish them. It is a matter of costs, we» are. told-children’s books published in New Zealand cannot compete with the cheaper books imported. I was interested to. know just New many such books were published here. I made inquiries at the children’s section of our local library. They could produce but one-written and illustrated by Joan Smith. This book, I noticed, carried the names of two of Hamilton and Whitcombe and Tombs. I have had some experience in the writing of stories for children in New Zealand. My stories are all published in Australia. Next year, I intend writing a story for children with a New Zealand setting-a book for young Australians to read. This country provides a wonderful market for writers from overseas — especially for the writers of* children’s books, Evidence of this may be seen in any bookshop in New Zealand. These books are well bound with attractive covers. And all this adds to the cost, On top of this they come by ship across many seas. And yet, we are told, they are still cheaper than anything. published in our own country. Could someone tell me why this is so-someone knowledgeable?

LUNETTE

(North Auckland).