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Koster, Melanie
Author photo: (c) Paul Koster, 2026
Writer's File

Melanie Koster

Canterbury - Waitaha
Koster, Melanie
Author photo: (c) Paul Koster, 2026
In brief
Born on the wild West Coast of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, Melanie was brought up in a book-loving, story-telling family. She lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch with her family of artists, inventors and tinkerers. After being shortlisted for the Joy Cowley Award several times, Melanie was the winner of the award in 2022. She is a picture book author and her stories and poems have been published in The School Magazine (Australia).
  • Primary publisher
    Scholastic NZ
  • Rights enquiries
    enquiries@scholastic.co.nz
  • Publicity enquiries
    melaniekosterwriter@gmail.com
Bio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Koster, Melanie (1971 – ) is a children’s book writer. Born in Greymouth, Koster moved to Ōtautahi Christchurch as a child, and has lived there since 1980. She worked as a travel consultant for many years, before starting a family.

Koster’s first picture book for children is The Reluctant Little Flower Girl, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Mallinson Rendel, 2008), an effort reviewer Tessa Duder praised as, "rhyming text as skilful and easy to read … as Lynley Dodd’s.’ (Australian Woman’s Weekly, June 2008).

Melanie has a wide collection of texts with Scholastic and Bateman books, and is an enthusiastic participant in our Writers in Schools programme.

Other works include: 

  • The Wonderful Stranges, illustrated by Monica Koster (Bateman Books 2025)
  • Elephant Park, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic 2024)
  • Tama and the Taniwha, illustrated by Monica Koster (Scholastic 2023)
  • Ko Tama me te Taniwha illustrated by Monica Koster, translated by Pānia Papa (Scholastic 2023)
  • Milly Maloo and the Miracle Glue, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic NZ 2011)

Melanie works as a Kaiāwhina Kaiako (Teacher Assistant) at a local primary school, where she enjoys helping young writers hone their craft.

WRITERS IN SCHOOLS INFORMATION

Melanie Koster is able to visit primary schools through the Book Council's Writers in Schools programme, and is happy to read aloud from her work, talk about how she writes and her life and work, answer questions, take workshops, and tell stories.

AWARDS

  • Shortlisted, NZ Booklovers Award 2025 for Elephant Park
  • Storylines Notable Book Award 2024, Picture Book, Elephant Park
  • Shortlisted, NZ Booklovers Award 2024 for Tama and the Taniwha illustrated by Monica Koster
  • Storylines Notable Book Award 2023, Picture Book, Tama and the Taniwha illustrated by Monica Koster 
  • Storylines Notable Book Award 2023, Te Reo Māori, Ko Tama me te Taniwha illustrated by Monica Koster, translated by Pānia Papa
  • Storylines Joy Cowley Award 2022 for Tama and the Taniwha
Updated
January 2026
January 2026

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