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Elizabeth LairdElizabeth Laird
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Bibliography |
Prizes and awards |
Critical perspective
BiographyElizabeth Laird was born in New Zealand of Scottish parents, but grew up in London. Before studying French and German at university, she taught at a girls’ school in Malaysia. During her twenties she lived and worked in Ethiopia, teaching and travelling, and was a disc jockey on a late night music show, broadcasting to Africa and India.
She met her husband, David McDowall, on a plane in India. They married in 1975, and lived first in Baghdad, where David was working for the British Council. Later, David's work with the UN took them to Beirut (during the civil war). They were eventually evacuated to Vienna, where their second son was born. They now live in London.
Elizabeth Laird has written many readers and background books on Britian in simplified English, as well as picture books for younger readers. During the 1990s she travelled round Ethiopia collecting folk stories from traditional storytellers, and the British Council produced them in a series of readers for Ethiopian schools. A selection for a wider audience was published as When The World Began: Stories Collected in Ethiopia (2000).
She is best known, however, for her fiction for children and young adults. Novels include Red Sky in the Morning (1988), about a disabled child; Kiss the Dust (1991), about Kurdish asylum seekers in Iraq; Secret Friends (1996); Jay (1997), which has a drug theme; and Jake’s Tower (2001), in which a boy has to cope with a violent stepfather. The Garbage King (2003) is set in Addis Ababa, and is about Ethiopian street children. A Little Piece of Ground (2003) is set in Ramallah, Palestine, from the point of view of boys caught up in the intifada. Secrets of the Fearless (2006) is a historical adventure story set against the backdrop of Nelson's navy. Crusade (2007), was shortlisted for the 2007 Costa Children's Book Award.
Her most recent books are The Witching Hour (2009) and The Ogress and the Snake: And Other Stories from Somalia (2009).
Elizabeth Laird's books have been translated into 15 languages.
Genres (in alphabetical order)Children
BibliographyAnna and the Fighter (illustrated by Gay Galsworthy) Heinemann Educational, 1977 English in Education (Student's Book) Oxford University Press, 1977 English in Education (Teacher's Edition) Oxford University Press, 1977 The House on the Hill (illustrated by Gay Galsworthy) Heinemann Educational, 1978 The Garden (illustrated by Peter Dennis) Heinemann Educational, 1979 Jumper (illustrated by Leslie Smith) Collins, 1982 The Big Green Star (illustrated by Leslie Smith) Collins, 1982 The Blanket House (illustrated by Leslie Smith) Collins, 1982 The Doctor's Bag (illustrated by Leslie Smith) Collins, 1982 Welcome: to Great Britain and the USA Longman, 1983 The Miracle Child: A Story from Ethiopia (told by Elizabeth Laird with Abba Aregawi Wolde Gabriel) Collins, 1985 Faces of Britain Longman, 1986 Henry and the Birthday Surprise (illustrated by Mike Hibbert; photographs by Robert Hill) BBC, 1986 The Dark Forest (illustrated by John Richardson) Collins, 1986 The Long House in Danger (illustrated by John Richardson) Collins, 1986 Discovery Playbooks (illustrated by Clare Beaton) Pan, 1987 Faces of the USA (photos by Darryl Williams) Heinemann, 1987 Happy Birthday: A Book of Birthday Celebrations (illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa) Collins, 1987 Heavy and Light (illustrated by Clare Beaton; educational consultant Carole Ritchie) Piccolo, 1987 Hot and Cold (illustrated by Clare Beaton; educational consultant Carole Ritchie) Piccolo, 1987 Light and Dark (illustrated by Clare Beaton; educational consultant Carole Ritchie) Piccolo, 1987 Wet and Dry (illustrated by Clare Beaton; educational consultant Carole Ritchie) Piccolo, 1987 The Inside Outing (with Olivia Madden; illustrated by Deborah Ward) Heinemann, 1987 The Road to Bethlehem: An Ethiopian Nativity (foreword by Terry Waite) Collins, 1987 Clara Heinemann, 1988 Red Sky in the Morning Heinemann, 1988 Sid and Sadie Collins, 1988 The Chunky Bears' Busy Day (illustrated by Carolyn Scrace) Carnival, 1988 The Chunky Bears Go On The River (illustrated by Carolyn Scrace) Carnival, 1989 The Chunky Bears Go Shopping (illustrated by Carolyn Scrace) Carnival, 1989 The Chunky Bears' Birthday Party (illustrated by Carolyn Scrace) Carnival, 1989 The Chunky Bears' Go Camping (illustrated by Carolyn Scrace) Carnival, 1989 American Homes Longman, 1989 Americans At Home Longman, 1989 Americans on the Move Longman, 1989 Australia Longman, 1989 Arctic Blues (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 Crackers (cartoons by Angus McDowall and James Lightfoot) Heinemann, 1989 Fine Feathered Friends (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 Going Cuckoo (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 Gopher Gold (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 High Flyers (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 The Grand Ostrich Ball (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1989 Graces, Hymns and Prayers for Children Collins, 1989 Arcadia Macmillan, 1990 Dead Man's River Longman, 1990 Fireman Sam and the Missing Key Heinemann, 1990 Kookaburra Cackles Heinemann, 1990 Peacock Palace Scoop (illustrated by Peter Lawson) Heinemann, 1990 Rosy's Garden: A Child's Keepsake of Flowers (with Satomi Ichikawa) Heinemann, 1990 Simon and the Spy Longman, 1990 The Day Patch Stood Guard (illustrated by Colin Reeder) Collins, 1990 The Day Sidney Was Lost (illustrated by Colin Reeder) Collins, 1990 The Day the Ducks Went Skating (illustrated by Colin Reeder) Collins, 1990 The Day Veronica Was Nosy (illustrated by Colin Reeder) Collins, 1990 Kiss the Dust Heinemann, 1991 The Earthquake (illustrated by Liz Roberts) Longman, 1991 The Pink Ghost of Lamont Heinemann, 1991 Desert Island Ducks (Toucan 'Tecs Series; illustrated by County Studios; characters by Peter Lawson) Buzz Books, 1991 Highland Fling (Toucan 'Tecs Series; illustrated by County Studios; characters by Peter Lawson) Buzz Books, 1991 The Big Drip (Toucan 'Tecs Series; illustrated by County Studios; characters by Peter Lawson) Buzz Books, 1991 The Snail's Tale (Toucan 'Tecs Series; illustrated by County Studios; characters by Peter Lawson) Buzz Books, 1991 Pandemonium (illustrated by P. Lawson) Little Mammoth, 1992 Sugar and Candy (illustrated by Sue Dray) Heinemann, 1992 The Dolly Rockers (illustrated by P. Lawson) Little Mammoth, 1992 Hiding Out Heinemann, 1993 Ask Me Again Longman, 1994 Anita's Big Day (illustrated by Fiona MacPherson) Longman, 1995 Stinker Muggles and the Dazzle Bug (with Susan Hellard) Collins, 1995 On the Run (illustrated by Carrie Herries) Mammoth, 1996 Secret Friends (illustrated by Jason Cockcroft) Hodder Children's Books, 1996 A Funny Sort of Dog (illustrated by Russell Ayto) Mammoth, 1997 Forbidden Ground Hamish Hamilton, 1997 Jay Mammoth, 1997 Rosy's Winter (with Satomi Ichikawa) Heinemann, 1997 The Listener (illustrated by Pauline Hazelwood) A & C Black, 1997 Gabriel's Feather (illustrated by Bettina Paterson) Scholastic, 1998 Me and My Electric (editor; illustrated by Polly Dunbar) Mammoth, 1998 A Book of Promises (illustrated by Michael Frith) Dorling Kindersley, 1999 Eddy and the Movie Star Heinemann, 1999 Karen and the Artist Longman, 1999 King of the Supermarket (illustrated by Ailie Busby) Little Hippo, 1999 The Storm Longman, 1999 Baboon Rock (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Elephant Thunder (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Leopard Trail (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Red Wolf (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Rhino Fire (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Zebra Storm (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 1999 Chimp Escape (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 2000 Lion Pride (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 2000 Parrot Rescue (Wild Things Series) Macmillan Children's Books, 2000 Jack and the Beanstalk: The Princess and the Pea (illustrated by Simone Lia) Mammoth, 2000 The Great Big Enormous Turnip (also contains The Magic Porridge Pot; with Simone Lia) Mammoth, 2000 The Little Red Hen: The Tortoise and the Hare (illustrated by Simone Lia) Mammoth, 2000 The Three Little Pigs: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (with Simone Lia) Mammoth, 2000 When the World Began: Stories Collected in Ethiopia Oxford University Press, 2000 Jake's Tower Macmillan Children's Books, 2001 The Christmas Gift (with Bettina Patterson) Hippo, 2002 A Little Piece of Ground (with Sonia Nimr) Macmillan Children's Books, 2003 Beautiful Bananas (with Liz Pichon) Oxford University Press, 2003 The Garbage King (illustrated by Yosef Kebede) Macmillan Children's Books, 2003 The Ice Cream Swipe Oxford University Press, 2003 Hot Rock Mountain Egmont, 2004 Paradise End Macmillan Children's Books, 2004 Secrets of the Fearless Macmillan Children's Books, 2005 Oranges in No Man's Land Macmillan Children's Books, 2006 Crusade Macmillan Children's Books, 2007 A Fistful of Pearls and Other Tales from Iraq (illustrated by Shelley Fowles) Frances Lincoln Childrens Books, 2008 Lost Riders Macmillan Children's Books, 2008 The Ogress and the Snake: And Other Stories from Somalia (illustrated by Shelley Fowles) Frances Lincoln Childrens Books, 2009 The Witching Hour Macmillan Children's Books, 2009
Prizes and awards1989 Carnegie Medal (highly commended) Red Sky in the Morning 1992 Dutch Royal Geographical Society Glass Globe Award Kiss the Dust 1992 Red House Children's Book Award (Overall Winner) Kiss the Dust 1992 Sheffield Children's Book Award Kiss the Dust 1994 Nestlé Smarties Young Judges Award Hiding Out 1997 Carnegie Medal (shortlist) Secret Friends 1998 Lancashire County Library Children's Book of the Year Award Jay 2001 Carnegie Medal (shortlist) Jake's Tower 2003 Carnegie Medal (shortlist) The Garbage King 2004 Blue Peter Book Award: The Book I Couldn't Put Down (shortlist) The Garbage King 2004 Hampshire Book Award A Little Piece of Ground 2004 Scottish Arts Council Children's Book of the Year Award The Garbage King 2004 Stockport Children's Book Award The Garbage King 2007 Costa Children's Book Award (shortlist) Crusade 2008 Carnegie Medal (shortlist) Crusade
Critical PerspectiveElizabeth Laird has spent her adult life experiencing many different cultures: she has spent periods of time living and working in Malaysia, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. These experiences have deeply influenced her writing, and many of her books for children and young adults are set in the countries she has visited, while others depict immigrant families adapting to life in Britain. She also writes about child abuse, illness and death, war, terrorism and homelessness, often basing her stories on topical current events. However, as she says herself (see ‘Author Statement’, below), her main focus is to explore emotional and psychological issues, and thus the settings and topical issues are secondary to this. As such, each of her stories contains vivid and well-rounded characters and universal themes with which child readers growing up in more ‘ordinary’ circumstances can easily identify.
Some of Laird’s early works are re-tellings of traditional Ethiopian stories. The Miracle Child: A Story From Ethiopia (1985) tells the life story of Takla Haymanot, a 13th-century Ethiopian saint, while The Road to Bethlehem: An Ethiopian Nativity re-tells the Ethiopian version of the story of Jesus’ birth. One of Laird’s more recent works, When the World Began: Stories Collected in Ethiopia (2000), is a collection of traditional folk stories told directly to Laird by the people she visited in remote parts of Ethiopia. Her re-telling of the stories echoes the simple, straightforward style of Ethiopian folklore, in which excessive ‘wordiness’ and elaboration is avoided.
Laird’s first novel for older children and teens was Red Sky in the Morning (1988), published in the US as Loving Ben). It is the first-person narrative of 12-year-old Anna, who helps to care for her hydrocephalic baby brother, Ben, who eventually dies. It was inspired by Laird’s own personal experiences - her younger brother was born when she was three, and died four years later. Red Sky in the Morning, like most of Laird’s subsequent novels, explores moral ambiguities and complexities, and does not present anything in black and white. In particular, Anna and her family must deal with their conflicting emotions - when Ben dies, they experience both intense grief and feelings of relief. Red Sky in the Morning was immediately critically acclaimed, and continues to appear on many school syllabuses.
Kiss the Dust (1991) is also the story of a 12-year-old girl who, like Anna, is experiencing her own adolescent dilemmas within the context of more traumatic events. Tara Khan is a Kurdish girl, growing up in Iraq, who is forced to flee with her family, first to Iran and eventually to Britain. Laird spent a year researching this novel, which has been compared with Ann Holm’s I Am David, and it has been praised for its vivid and heart-rending depiction of the experiences of Kurdish refugees, bringing to life the acute suffering that exists behind political events. Secret Friends (1996) also addresses immigration, featuring a young girl and her family who have recently arrived in the UK. As always, Laird combines specific events and settings with universal themes: within the context of an immigration story, Secret Friends explores bullying, peer pressure and the need to belong.
Another extremely topical novel is A Little Piece of Ground (2003), which has proved to be Laird’s most controversial work. Written with the help of Palestinian author Sonia Nimr, it is a tale of Palestinian children suffering under Israeli occupation: the ‘little piece of ground’ refers implicitly to the Palestinian’s hope for their own territory, and explicitly to 12-year-old Karim’s search for a place to play football with his friends, after Israeli tanks have destroyed the local playing fields. The bookseller Kidsbooks launched an unsuccessful campaign to persuade the publisher, Macmillan, not to go ahead with publication, and other Jewish groups have voiced strong opinion. However, others have praised Laird’s courage in tackling such a delicate subject and depicting the struggles of ordinary families whose lives have been devastated by the conflict. One of Laird’s greatest supporters has been Michael Morpurgo, who was the Children’s Laureate at the time the novel was published. Morpurgo wrote the introduction to A Little Piece of Ground:
The Garbage King, also published in 2003, is equally topical but less controversial, depicting the painful struggles of Ethiopian street children. Laird interviewed homeless Ethiopian children as part of her research, and the novel includes an ‘Afterword’ discussing these real children and their experiences, along with a message from one of them, imploring others not to run away. The novel’s two central characters have both come from very different backgrounds: Mamo is a poverty-stricken orphan whose basic physical survival is under threat, while Dani is from an affluent background, but struggles with an oppressive father who derides his son for his weak academic performance and lack of ‘manliness’. While Mamo escapes from slavery, Dani runs away from his father, and the two boys meet and form a friendship. From there, they join a gang of street children led by Million, a tough, streetwise boy who teaches them to beg and find food. Mamo and Dani, like most of Laird’s protagonists, are survivors who mature through their difficult experiences and discover their own strength, both physically and emotionally. The novel has received some criticism for its neat happy ending: Mamo eventually finds his sister, while Dani is reunited with his parents. Nonetheless The Garbage King presents a rich and vivid depiction of Ethiopian life, along with a multi-layered perspective which shows the sufferings of both the privileged and the underprivileged, and avoids a simplistic one-sided view.
Laird often explores these unlikely friendships in which children and teenagers from vastly different backgrounds come to understand each other, and often in the process come to understand themselves as well. Paradise End (2004), like The Garbage King, features two children from vastly different social backgrounds as it follows the emotional development of working-class Carly. As she begins to realise that her new wealthy friend is emotionally deprived and terribly damaged, she simultaneously learns to appreciate the emotional richness of her own family. Laird skilfully avoids sentimentality, for Carly’s family are far from perfect - Carly simply begins to understand that the trials of sibling rivalry and frustrated desires are just everyday troubles within the context of a loving family.
In Crusade (2007), Laird enacts a similar theme with two boys from different religious faiths and vastly different cultural backgrounds. It is a historical novel, set during the third crusade in the 12th century, which reflects today’s conflicts between Islam and the Western world and depicts Muslim culture sympathetically. Salim is a Muslim boy apprenticed to Saladin’s personal doctor, while Adam is an English serf who has joined up to serve his local knight and consequently finds himself travelling to the Middle East. Both boys hold strong prejudices about each other’s culture, but they gradually learn to reconsider their views. Like most of Laird’s novels, Crusade is pervaded by moral perplexity. Just as The Garbage King and Paradise End demonstrate the way in which different social classes each have their sufferings to contend with, Crusade shows clearly that it is never a clear-cut case of ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ -- there is always both good and bad on all sides.
Elizabeth O’Reilly, 2008
Author statementLike most writers, I write because I can't help it. Ideas for stories and novels form in my mind and demand to be written down. Since I was a child, I have written endless diaries and letters, and my study is crammed with half-finished manuscripts that will never see the light. A glance through the subect matter of my novels might lead one to suppose that I deliberately choose to focus on issues such as war, street children, disability or child abuse. This is not really the case. My starting point is themes such as courage, endurance, forgiveness and love. The 'issues' are the settings in which these ideas can be explored. It is true, however, that the years I have spent abroad have inspired the books I set in Kurdistan, Ethiopia and Palestine.
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