Diana Noonan (born 7 January 1960) is a New Zealand children's author. In 2022 she was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for her outstanding contributions to New Zealand literature for young people.
Biography Noonan was born in Dunedin and attended Waihola Primary School and Tokomairiro High School. She completed a degree in English at the University of Otago in 1980. She completed a teaching diploma the following year and began her career as a teacher. She taught in secondary schools for four years then became a full-time writer. Noonan was Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education in 1993, and was the editor of the New Zealand School Journal for eight years.
Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake Noonan wrote a children's picture book, Quaky Cat, about a cat's experience of the earthquakes. She donated all royalties to the Christchurch earthquake appeal, raising over $150,000. She and the book's illustrator Gavin Bishop received the North West Christchurch Award 2012 in appreciation of her donation.
Awards and recognition +YearAwardResultWorkNotes2022Storylines Margaret Mahy MedalWinner2014LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistThe Teddy Bear's Promise2011LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistQuaky Cat2011LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction AwardFinalistThe Tui New Zealand Kids' Garden2003LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistAuntie Rosie and the Rabbit2003LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistThe Best-Dressed Bear2003New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Picture Book AwardFinalistAuntie Rosie and the Rabbit1998LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction AwardCo-winnerThe Know, Sow and Grow Kids' Book of Plants1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionWinnerI Spy Wildlife1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionFinalistThe Rocky Shore1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionFinalistThe Garden1996Australian Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's LiteratureFinalistHercules1995Aim Children's Book Award for Best Picture BookWinnerThe Best Loved Bear1994Aim Children's Book Award for Best Junior FictionWinnerA Dolphin in the Bay1994New Zealand Library Association Esther Glen AwardFinalistA Dolphin in the Bay1991New Zealand Library Association Esther Glen AwardFinalistThe Silent People
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