A Farewell To John McIntyre: NZ Champion of Kid’s Lit
In very sad news, I learned yesterday of the passing of John McIntyre of Wellington’s Children’s Bookshop.
John was a NZ champion of children’s literature and kid’s reading. I only met him once, in 2009, at the Spinning Gold conference in Wellington, where we were on a panel together — and was impressed by John’s commitment and insight.
Then again, perhaps I already knew that was “who he was” from hearing him review kids’ books on Radio New Zealand’s Nine To Noon programme…
John’s “About Us” on the Children’s Bookshop site, gives you the basic facts:
“John McIntyre began The Children’s Bookshop in August 1992. A former primary school teacher in New Zealand and the UK, he saw the need for a dedicated children’s bookshop in Wellington.
John traces his love of children’s literature back to the library at Waimea College in Nelson and the discovery of the book “The Silver Sword” by Ian Serrallier. He also became extremely aware of the value of reading to children from his teaching career. He is a specialist on the vexed issue of boys and reading …”
To read the full bio, click on: About John McIntyre
Kathryn Ryan of the Nine to Noon show recently conducted an indepth interview with John — well worth your time to listen to the podcast:
Interview with John McIntyre
Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne: a totara has fallen in the forest of Tane.
The NZ book community, and children’s literature community in particular, is diminished by John’s passing.
Haere ra, John McIntyre.