author
Edith Howes
1872–1954
A New Zealand teacher turned beloved children's writer, she brought curiosity, kindness, and a sense of wonder to her stories. Her books often blended lively imagination with a deep interest in how children learn and see the natural world.
2 Audiobooks
Wonderwings and other Fairy Stories
by Edith Howes
The Sun's Babies
by Edith Howes
About the author
Born in London in 1872, she moved to New Zealand as a child and grew up to become both a teacher and a writer. She taught for many years in Christchurch, including as head of the junior department at Normal School, and became known for fresh ideas about education and child development.
Her writing for children grew out of that same interest in young minds. She published poems, nature writing, school readers, and stories, and became especially well known for imaginative books such as The Sun's Babies, Fairy Rings, and Wonderwings. Her work often invites children to look closely at the world around them while leaving plenty of room for fantasy.
Later in life she was recognized for her contribution to literature and public life, receiving an MBE and the King George VI Coronation Medal. She died in Dunedin in 1954, but her books still offer a warm, thoughtful glimpse into early New Zealand children's writing.