Anne Louise de Roo
Anne Louise de Roo was a New Zealand author known for her contributions to children's literature, as well as her work aimed at adult readers. Born in Gore in 1931, she was influenced by both her native culture and English literature, having spent a significant period living in England. De Roo received her B.A. from the University of Canterbury and worked as a librarian before shifting her focus to writing while in England. Her early novels often drew inspiration from her New Zealand upbringing, featuring local settings and characters, such as in "Boy and the Sea Beast," which tells the true story of two dolphins.
Upon returning to New Zealand in the early 1970s, de Roo published works that highlighted the history and experiences of both pioneering families and the indigenous Maori people, contributing to a richer understanding of her homeland. In the 1990s, her writing diversified to include children’s stories with religious themes, often featuring mouse characters, as well as novels aimed at adults. De Roo's body of work reflects her deep appreciation for New Zealand's cultural heritage and its societal issues. She passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of literature that continues to resonate with readers.
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Subject Terms
Anne Louise de Roo
Writer
- Born: 1931
- Birthplace: Gore, New Zealand
- Died: 1997
Biography
A native of New Zealand, Anne Louise de Roo spent much of her early life experiencing the contradiction of living in a country far from England while still being heavily influenced by England’s culture and literature. Much of de Roo’s work reflects her attempts to create stories that build upon the unique cultural experiences and concerns of children in New Zealand and which would bring insight into the history and development of her native country.
De Roo was born in Gore, New Zealand, in 1931 to William Fredrick de Roo, a health inspector, and Amy Louisa (Hayton) de Roo. She received a B.A. in 1952 from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, and worked as a librarian in Dunedin until 1959. She then moved to England, where she lived for twelve years and worked in a variety of jobs as a governess, gardener, and secretary.
It was during her years in England that de Roo began to write books for children. Her first five novels were developed during this time, although they still draw upon her New Zealand background for stories, characters, and settings. Boy and the Sea Beast, for example, tells the true story of two famous dolphins in New Zealand, Pelorous Jack and Opo, and the character Mick in Mick’s Country Cousins is half-Maori.
After de Roo returned to New Zealand in the early 1970’s, she brought a fresh eye, a new understanding and appreciation for New Zealand, and an intensified desire to share the history and surroundings of her country with her readers. Over the next ten years she would publish both stories of pioneering New Zealand families and stories of the indigenous Maori people, stories that shed light upon the current society of New Zealand.
In the early 1990’s, de Roo’s work branched off in two directions, both with religious themes. She created a series of books for younger readers, many centering around mice (and often church mice) as main characters. At the same time she began to write novels for adults, among them And We Beheld His Glory and Christ Be My Courage. De Roo died in 1997.