About
Author and Naturalist
I’m passionate about understanding and protecting the unique wildlife and amazing wild places of Aotearoa New Zealand.
For the last ten or so years I’ve been writing non-fiction books for children, sharing what I’ve learned and what has intrigued me as I’ve explored the bush and the beach. These books have won many awards and accolades.
Now I’m writing fiction for children, featuring nature themes, of course. In recent years I have also published some poetry.
See the home page for all my children’s books.
As a children's author I enjoy taking part in Read NZ’s Writers in Schools programme and running workshops and activities for children. I have a background in teaching and publishing which I draw on in presentations to schools and in workshops about writing All of my presentations and workshops include information about wildlife and ecosystems.
As a naturalist, I’m always learning. Instagram and my blog are two places I post about what I’ve seen and heard at the beach or in the bush. I volunteer on conservation and citizen scientist projects and write about these too.
View my past career profile on Linked In.
Author portrait by Gavin Mouldey
What the reviewers say
Bill Nagelkerke, Magpies: talking about books for children
“Sometimes you discover books that you really wish had been available to you as a child. For me, and I imagine, very many others, Gillian Candler’s books about New Zealand’s flora and fauna most certainly fall into that category. “
Thalia Kehoe Rowden, The Sapling
“For me, these books have it all. They’re beautiful, interactive, thoughtfully written, include respectful use of te reo Māori, and increase children’s scientific skills and knowledge.”
Book Awards
At the Beach: explore and discover the New Zealand seashore - Winner of the 2013 Elsie Locke Medal for non-fiction in the Lianza Children's Book Awards and Finalist in the 2013 NZ Post Children's Book Awards
In the Garden: explore and discover the New Zealand backyard - 2014 Storylines Notable Book Award
Under the Ocean: explore and discover New Zealand's sea life - 2015 Storylines Notable Book Award and Finalist in the 2015 NZ Children's Book Awards
From Moa to Dinosaur: explore and discover ancient New Zealand - Finalist in the 2017 NZ Children's Books Awards
Animals of Aotearoa: explore and discover New Zealand's wildlife - In the Listener Top 50 Children's Books.
Whose Beak is This? 2016 Storylines Notable Books Award and Finalist in the 2016 NZ Children's Book Awards
Whose Feet are These? - 2018 Storylines Notable Books Award
Whose Home is This? - Finalist in New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2019
New Zealand Nature Heroes: inspiration and activities for young conservationists - 2020 Storylines Notable Books Award, Finalist in 2020 PANZ Design Awards, Finalist in 2020 NZSA Heritage Book Awards
Mia & Leo Go Wild - number 14 in the Whitcoulls Top 50 Kid’s Books 2024