Anna Ciddor

Ciddor was born in January 1957 in Melbourne.[4] She was brought up in a house without television, and had an inventive and creative childhood.[5] She also had a strong interest in mathematics, and after finishing school, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in mathematics from the University of Melbourne and a Diploma of Education from Melbourne State College.[4] Her first career was as a senior school mathematics teacher, and it was only after marrying and having children that she began writing and illustrating.[5]

Her first book accepted for publication was a picture book,Take Me Back, published in 1988.[4] This book took the reader back in time to show how people lived in Australia in the past.[5][6] For the next few years, Ciddor continued to write and illustrate non-fiction books, concentrating on bringing history to life for children.[6] In 2002 Allen and Unwin published her first historical fantasy, Runestone, book 1 of Viking Magic. This children's novel, and the other Viking Magic books that followed, use historical details and strong storylines.[5][7]

In 2005 Ciddor was awarded a two-year grant by the Literature Board of the Australia Council.[8]

Ciddor based her fantasy books on global folk, fairy tale, and myth[9] as well as research into historic lifestyle and belief systems.[10] At the Melbourne Writers Festival in 2007 Ciddor appeared on a panel with Sophie Masson and Kate Forsyth discussing the historical truth behind their fantasy novels.[11] In a study of Canadian children's fantasy, author K.V. Johansen included a chapter on Ciddor's Viking Magic books because 'Although not by a Canadian author, the Viking Magic series is noteworthy' and 'does more towards realistic historical fiction than many "time-travel to learn history" novels'.[12]

In 2016 Ciddor changed to historical fiction with the release of The Family with Two Front Doors, published by Allen and Unwin.[13] It won a Notable Book Award from the Children's Book Council of Australia in March 2017.[14] The Family with Two Front Doors is based on interviews with the author's grandmother Nomi Rabinovitch, and tells the story of Nomi's childhood as the daughter of a rabbi in 1920s Lublin, Poland.[10][15][16] The writing style is inspired by Little House on the Prairie, presenting vignettes of the everyday life of a family.[10] The book combines historical fact and imagination but no fantasy elements.[15] According to a review by the Victorian Association for the Teaching of English, it is "an informative, gentle read' that "offers insight into how a Jewish household is run".[17] Unlike most books about the Jewish past, this one does not focus on the Holocaust and "there is... no violence and no hatred... but a charming reconstruction of daily routines".[18] Readings Bookstore, winners of the international Bookstore of the Year Award[19] described The Family with Two Front Doors as a modern counterpart to the classic book Little Women.[20] It was published in the US by Kar-Ben, a division of Lerner Books in 2018,[21] and chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection.[22] In 2019 it was translated into Polish as Dwoje drzwi i dziewięcioro dzieci and published in Poland by Mamania .

Ciddor's book, 52 Mondays, published by Allen and Unwin in 2019, is a fictionalised account of Ciddor's own childhood, filled with memories of Melbourne in the 1960s.[23] It was shortlisted for the 2019 REAL Awards,[24] longlisted for the inaugural Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction.[25]

Ciddor's most recent book is The Boy Who Stepped Through Time, published by Allen and Unwin in 2021.[26] The historical details for the novel were provided by Tamara Lewit who is a professional archaeologist and historian specialising in Ancient Rome.[27] According to a Readings Bookstore review "Anna Ciddor has vividly brought the Roman era to life with authentic historical flourishes. The Boy Who Stepped Through Time is a sweet, funny romp perfect for history buffs ages 8+."[28] In 2021 it was long listed for the ARA Historical Novel Prize.[29] In 2022 it was shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards for Best Children's Fiction.[30]

In 2021 Ciddor won the Nance Donkin award for Children's Literature.[31]

Ciddor has written and illustrated over fifty books.[15]

• Nance Donkin Award for Children's Literature[3] winner 2021
• The Boy Who Stepped Through Time – ARA Historical Novel Prize long list 2021[29] Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction short list[30]
• 52 Mondays – shortlisted for the 2019 REAL Awards,[24] longlisted for the inaugural Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction[25]
• The Family with Two Front Doors – Notable Book, Children's Book Council of Australia 2017,[14] shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book Award 2017,[32] Junior Library Guild selection in America[33]
• Night of the Fifth Moon – Notable Book, Children's Book Council of Australia 2008[34]
• Two-year New Work Grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council 2005[8]
• Runestone – Notable Book, Children's Book Council of Australia 2003[35]

• Official website