Hello

I'm Amanda McKenzie, a children's writer, poet and school librarian from Aotearoa, New Zealand. When I was a kid, I used to scribble and draw in notebooks a LOT (sometimes when I should have been doing school work!). I especially love writing poetry because it's like doodling with words.

In July 2026, my picture book manuscript 'The Deco Dog Parade' received third place in the CYA Conference Competition (A01: Picture book - preschool-aged children).

In 2025, I was joint winner of the 'Big Things, Little Things' poetry competition with my poem, 'Peacock Mantis Shrimp'. It was made into a downloadable poster with teaching notes thanks to the fantastic folk at SLANZA (the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa).

You can read more about why I love reading and writing kidlit in this interview with the wonderful Little Thoughts Press.

Amanda McKenzie holding a notebook and pen

Kind Words

‘Peacock Mantis Shrimp’, like the amazing creature it elaborates, is a gem, both of concept, rhyme structure and language, effectively mixing meters such as iambic and dactyl to keep the reader on their toes. Here science becomes poetry and poetry science. Readers will have a lot of fun with this, while learning at the same time. It’s a poem that begs to be emulated.

Bill Nagelkerke

‘Eli’s House’ beautifully and expertly tackles the topic of how we support each other in times of difficulty and grief.

Claire Taylor, Editor, Little Thoughts Press

‘Leopard’ surprised the reader by not only employing the collective noun “leap” for a group of leopards but by beginning three lines with “And”, the final syncopated use of this conjunction slowing the poem down so that the reader (or listener) could take stock and reflect.

Bill Nagelkerke

Say Hi

A hand writing in a lined notebook

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