| Hazel Townson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 April 1928 Nelson, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 11 October 2010 (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Author |
| Nationality | British |
| Genres | Children's |
Hazel Townson (12 April 1928 – 11 October 2010) was an English children's-literature author. She had over fifty books published from 1975 onwards, including in countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, France and Japan.[1]
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Hazel Townson began her writing career with Punch magazine, for which she was a regular contributor for many years. The magazine invited her to write reviews of children's books, which would eventually lead to her writing her own material.
She also worked as Chief Assistant Librarian for part of Greater Manchester, a role that included responsibility for libraries in 110 schools, eleven public children's libraries, and four colleges.
Her first book, entitled Looking for Lossie, was published in 1975.
As of 1998, Townson published books totalled 55. These ranged from picture books to teenage novels.
Some of Townson's books, such as The Speckled Panic and Terrible Tuesday, have been adapted for television. She also had stories commissioned for Granada Television's Time for a Story, Tickle on the Tum and Story World programmes.
She frequently visited schools, libraries, colleges and writers' groups to talk about children's literature and to assist with creative writing.
Following its formation in 1985, Townson chaired the panel for the annual "Lancashire Children's Book of the Year" award.
Richard Branson printed 500,000 copies of Townson's Adventures of a Lottery Winner to give away to youngsters on his Virgin Atlantic airline.[2]
Born in Nelson, Lancashire, Townson was brought up in the Pendle valley. She attended Accrington High School and then studied English at the University of Leeds.
She was a widow to Kenneth Smith; mother to Christopher and Catherine; grandmother to John, Vickie, Max and Clea; and great-grandmother to Leon.
Townson died on 11 October 2010, surrounded by family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Gary Who