Biography
Morris Gleitzman was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, moved to London, and emigrated to Australia in 1969. He studied journalism, and worked as a screenwriter for television comedy for ten years, becoming one of Australia's best-known television writers, also writing a number of feature films and screenplays.
His first book, The Other Facts of Life (1987), started out as a screenplay which he turned into a novel. It was followed by several other books for children, including Two Weeks with the Queen (1989); Misery Guts (1991); and Blabber Mouth (1993), all of which have been adapted for the stage by Mary Morris. His book Water Wings (1997) was also adapted and performed by Mary-Anne Fahey. Worry Warts (1992) and Second Childhood (1995) have had further adaptations and successful stage tours, and an adaptation of Boy Overboard (2002), the tale of an Afghan Child refugee's journey to Australia, was produced by the Australian Theatre for Young People in 2005. He is known for his tough subjects, presented in a humorous and offbeat style.
His Wicked! series of six books, written with Paul Jennings, are now collected as Totally Wicked! (1999).
His latest book is Give Peas a Chance (2008). Then is due to be published in 2009.
Morris Gleitzman is also a well-known columnist. He has written regularly for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, and for Young Telegraph.
Bibliography
The Other Facts of Life Puffin, 1987
Two Weeks with the Queen Blackie, 1989
Misery Guts Blackie, 1991
Worry Warts (illustrated by J. Levers) Blackie, 1992
Blabber Mouth Pan Macmillan Children's Books, 1993
Sticky Beak Pan Macmillan Children's Books, 1994
Puppy Fat Piper, 1995
Second Childhood Puffin, 1995
Belly Flop Pan Macmillan Children's Books, 1996
Water Wings Pan Macmillan Children's Books, 1997
Bumface Viking, 1998
Wicked!: The Slobberers (with Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Wicked!: Battering Rams (with Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Wicked!: Croaked (Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Wicked!: Dead Ringer (Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Wicked!: The Creeper (Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Wicked!: Till Death Us Do Part (Paul Jennings) Puffin, 1998
Gift of the Gab Viking, 1999
Totally Wicked! (with Paul Jennings; contents: 'The Slobberers'; 'Battering Rams'; 'Croaked'; 'Dead Ringer'; 'The Creeper'; 'Till Death Us Do Part') Puffin, 1999
Self Helpless Penguin, 2000
Toad Rage Puffin, 2000
Adults Only Viking, 2001
Deadly! Puffin, 2001
Boy Overboard Puffin, 2002
Toad Heaven Puffin, 2003
Teacher's Pet Puffin, 2004
Toad Away Puffin, 2004
Girl Underground Puffin, 2005
Worm Story Puffin, 2005
Aristotle's Nostril Puffin, 2006
Once Puffin, 2006
Doubting Thomas Puffin, 2007
Give Peas a Chance Puffin, 2008
Then Puffin, 2009
Prizes and awards
1992 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers (shortlist) Misery Guts
1993 Bilby Award (Australia) Blabber Mouth
1993 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers (shortlist) Blabber Mouth
1993 CROW Award (Australia) Blabber Mouth
1994 CROW Award (Australia) Sticky Beak
1997 COOL Award (Australia) Belly Flop
1998 Bilby Award (Australia) Bumface
1998 COOL Award (Australia) Bumface
1998 KOALA Award (Australia) (shortlist) Bumface
1998 YABBA Award (Australia) Bumface
2001 YABBA Award: Older Readers (Australia) Toad Rage
