New Zealand children's author Margaret Mahy says she is suprised to win what is regarded as the world's most prestigious award for literature for young people. The Canterbury-based writer is the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Author Award: judges described her language as rich in poetic imagery, magic and supernatural elements.

Margaret Mahy wins major international literary award Scroll down for the interview. You will need Windows Media Player

See Frontseat's A Year in the Life of Margaret Mahy, to be screened on Easter Sunday, 16th April, on TV One. New Zealand children's author Margaret Mahy says she is suprised to win what is regarded as the world's most prestigious award for literature for young people. The Canterbury-based writer is the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Author Award: judges described her language as rich in poetic imagery, magic and supernatural elements.

Margaret Mahy wins major international literary award Scroll down for the interview. You will need Windows Media Player

See Frontseat's A Year in the Life of Margaret Mahy, to be screened on Easter Sunday, 16th April, on TV One.Fellow New Zealand author Tessa Duder described the Andersen award as equivalent to a Nobel Prize.

Wolf Erlbruch from Germany won the 2006 illustration award.

They will receive the awards at the International Board on Books for Young People Congress in China in September.