Hazel Edwards (born 1945) is an Australian author who has written 200 books, including the classic children's book, There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake, which is approaching its 30th anniversary and a short film is in production with Pocket Bonfire Productions. Since its publication in 1981, the age-less Hippopotamus on the roof has been reprinted annually, evolved into a series of six picture books and inspired a junior chapter book, classroom play scripts, stage production and a short movie. The Hippopotamus books have also been translated into Braille and Auslan signing for the hearing impaired and were presented as an official Australian Government gift to the children of Princess Mary of Denmark.
In October 2010, Hazel was nominated for the 2011 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award which is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature.Her most recent book is f2m;the boy within, co-authored with Ryan Kennedy and a new Hippopotamus book was also released in 2010: "Hooray, There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Having a Birthday Party".
Melbourne born and based, Hazel Edwards went to Ashburton Primary. After working in a bank and studying at night, she entered Toorak Teachers' College. She taught Maths and English at Westall High school and was invited to lecture at Frankston Teachers’ College while studying at Monash University at night. Later she lectured in children’s literature and psychology at Toorak Teachers’ College, and the Institute of Early Childhood Development (Now Melbourne University), then became a freelance author-lecturer after the publication of 'General Store' (1977) and the now classic There's a Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake (1980).
Edwards writes fact and fiction across media, for adults and children. She collaborates with psychologists, directors, scientists, puppeteers and illustrators and enjoys quirky and fanciful approaches to learning, participant-observation and experimenting with new media.
As 2001 Australian Antarctic Division writer, awarded the Humanities berth, Hazel travelled to Casey Station, Antarctica on the Polar Bird. Literary output based on her experience includes Antarctica's Frozen Chosen (a young adult eco-thriller), Antarctic Writer on Ice (her expedition diary), Antarctic Dad (a picture book), Right or Wrong (a play co-written with fellow author Goldie Alexander), and Grandma Leaps the Antarctic (an Auslan-signed DVD) and Antarctic Closeup, a National Museum initiative.i love my cousins