Gabrielle Wang
Gabrielle Wang is an award winning author and illustrator. She was born in Melbourne and is fourth generation Chinese Australian. Before turning to full time writing she was a graphic designer and a lecturer at RMIT.
Her first novel, The Garden of Empress Cassia won the Best Children’s Long Fiction in the 2002 Aurealis Awards and was shortlisted for the 2003 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.
Her other novels are: The Pearl of Tiger Bay, Penguin, 2004, The Hidden Monastery, Penguin 2006, The Lion Drummer, (Aussie Bite) Penguin, 2008.
Gabrielle enjoys sharing her work and experiences with students. Her talks are based on her books, which reflect the multicultural nature of Australia. She discusses where ideas come from, how her Chinese background has influenced her writing, and how children can explore their own cultural identity and personal experiences to create their stories. Her talks also include fun writing and drawing exercises. As well as talks and workshops for children, she is also available to work with adults.
Two new books are in the pipeline – A Ghost in my Suitcase, which is a prequel to The Pearl of Tiger Bay, is due for release in February 2009 and her first YA novel, Little Paradise, should be released around March 2010.
Testimonials
On Monday 6th September Gabrielle Wang came to talk to us about her books and showed us some ghost busting equipment. She also showed us dragon teeth which were actually horses‚ teeth that have been fossilized. We asked her questions and she told us about how in China you shouldn’t open the present you are given straight away because that would mean you are a greedy and rude person. Gabrielle said that you should never bring your own tradition into other countries and expect the people to do what you want. We learnt that when you want to write a story but you don’t know what to write just think back over your memories and make up something from that.It’s great to read and relax and reading will take you into another world.
Year 6A appreciated Gabrielle sharing her experiences of her childhood with us. She gave us insight into her world and her life as a child of a Chinese family living in Australia. The students (and I) greatly benefited from this.
It was a wonderful experience to meet an author of a book we have read together in class. Everyone enjoyed looking at her belongings she brought in to show us and her explanations of how she came up with the characters and names for her books. It was great to have met Gabrielle in person! She was a great inspiration!
Yesterday I was very lucky to have seen and listened to Gabrielle Wang, author and illustrator of The Pearl of Tiger Bay, her second book. Gabrielle was a brilliant speaker. She spoke with confidence and made sure you didn’t get bored with her excellent adjectives. She passed around Wu magic tools, such as bells, a mirror to reflect bad spirits and dragon teeth (actually horse teeth fossils!) She obviously loves what she does and knows what she wants.This she shared through her comfortable speaking. Gabrielle is definitely an inspiration to me. She is interested in culture and so am I. I feel interested in how other people live and what they believe in.
by Monica OLOP Grade 5.
I am a child who went to the kids writing conference in Sunbury. My name is Abbey, I'm in grade 5. You have inspired me in writing and drawing. I always thought that I could just do one thing when I'm older but you taught me that I can do anything I want! I represent Sunbury in basketball and I love playing heaps of sports, but now I know I can write stories.
To Dear Gabrielle Wang,
My name is Georgia, I'm in grade 6. You visited our school last year when I was in year 5 and we drew Peng and you signed it. My teacher laminated mine which looks very nice. I have read all of your novels. I have read The Garden Of Empress Cassia, The Pearl Of Tiger Bay and The Hidden Monastray. Today I participated in the Kids Conference which was held a Vic Uni in Sunbury. It was very interesting and I loved your session. You are one of my favourite
authors. My other favourite author is Carole Wilkinson who published Dragon Keeper. You inspire me and one day I would like to become an author like you. I can't wait until you publish another book!
I am a grade 4/5 teacher. I was fortunate to bring some students to meet you at the Kids’s Conference in Sunbury a few months ago. They were really keen to read your books so we began reading The Garden of Empress Cassia as a class novel. The students have responded really well to the text including some boys who don’t enjoy reading. They were excited when I located your e-mail address and all have written you a letter that I have attached in one document. I also enjoyed reading your books and I have just begun reading The Pearl of Tiger Bay with the students. We are only 2 chapters in but they love it and are excited to know that you draw the pictures in the book.
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