Hello...
After a career as designer and illustrator in educational publishing, I concentrated on my own writing and illustrating for children (picture books and nonfiction), subsequently founding an agency for illustrators (Sandra Morris Illustration Agency). My first picture book, One Lonely Kakapo, sprang from a Masters degree in fine arts and gained the Russell Clark Illustration Award. Initially studying at Elam, I later completed an Australian postgraduate course on natural history illustration.
After tutoring at tertiary level, I switched to community education and now conduct a wide range of workshops. My art practice embraces printmaking, painting and mixed media, frequently with a botanical focus.
The unifying thread connecting all my creative output is a love for our natural environment and a commitment to conservation. This goes back to my childhood and outdoor explorations with my adventurous brother Rod, now a renowned wildlife photographer. A particular passion is sketching plants and birdlife on location. I enjoy sharing observational and interpretive skills in my nature journaling workshops for both children and adults.
Awards
2023 Awarded ONZM for services to Illustration and education.
2021 Finalist NZ Children’s Book Awards for NonFiction - North & South (Walker Books)
Storylines Notable Book - North & South (Walker Books)
2015 Welcome to New Zealand: A Nature Journal (Candlewick, USA)
Winner of Riverby Award for Science Books for children, USA
Selected for the 2016 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 list. USA
Finalist NZ Children’s Book Awards for Non Fiction – A New Zealand Nature Journal (Walker Books)
Finalist for LIANZA Non Fiction Award - A New Zealand Nature Journal
Storylines Notable Book- A New Zealand Nature Journal
2013 Visiting artist position for 6 weeks at Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa
2011 Finalist NZ Post Children’s Book Awards for Non Fiction – Sensational Survivors (Walker Books)
Finalist for LIANZA Non Fiction Award - Sensational Survivors
Storylines Notable Book - Sensational Survivors
2006 Lecturer of the Year Award - Massey College of Creative Arts, Massey University, Albany
2003 Shared award for Excellence in Educational Publishing, Australia
(Primary literacy and numeracy series)
1995 Professional Development Award (QE11 Arts) for study in Australia
1995 Finalist in Russell Clark Award for illustrations – Discovering New Zealand Birds (Reed Publishing)
Finalist AIM Children’s Book Awards for Non Fiction – Discovering New Zealand Birds
1992 Winner of Russell Clark Award for illustrations — One Lonely Kakapo (Hodder & Stoughton)
Books
Sandra started her career in publishing as a designer and illustrator for the School Journal with the Ministry of Education. She later designed, illustrated and wrote readers for Lands End Publishing and Shortland Publications. It was here that she learnt the crucial role illustrations play in helping young readers decipher text.
One Lonely Kākāpō has been a classic New Zealand counting book since the early 1990s when it won the Russell Clark Award in 1992.
First published in 1991 by Hodder & Stoughton again in 1999 by Reed.
Pub: Upstart Press 2021
North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres contrasts, month-by-month, some of the world’s most-loved Northern and Southern Hemisphere animals and the ways the climates in those regions affect the way they breed, feed, adapt, hide and survive.
Pub: Walker Books 2021
NZ Nature Journal
There is so much to explore in the natural world. And keeping a nature journal is the best way to record all your amazing discoveries.
Pub: Walker Books 2014
Discovering NZ Trees
Pub: First published 1994 Hodder & Stoughton. Second edition 2015 New Holland.
Discovering NZ Birds
Imaginatively illustrated, this book blends Maori legend and tradition with fascinating and often quirky facts.
Pub: First published by Hodder & Stoughton 1994, Reed Publishing 1998, New Holland 2013 Out of Print
Pohutukawa
Bees, tui, geckoes and bats all feed on the Pohutukawa tree, but the possum threatens the life of the tree, until a boy comes to the rescue and catches it.
Pub: Reed Publishing , 2000
Out of Print
Godwit's Journey
Sandra has written an informative and entertaining text, and accompanied it with beautiful illustrations, giving readers a real sense of the courage and tenacity of this amazing bird.
Pub: Reed Publishing, 2004
Out of Print
Sensational Survivors
An ancient land isolated by vast oceans, New Zealand is home to fascinating creatures. From a prehistoric reptile to one of the world’s largest insects, you’ll discover some of the most unusual and impressive species on our planet.
Pub: Walker Books, 2010
Out of Print