Extract from Tiny Statements: A Social History of Aotearoa New Zealand in Badges
Authors:
Stephanie Gibson and Claire Regnault
Publisher:
Te Papa Press
ISBN:
9781991150974
Date Published:
April 2023
Pages:
212
Format:
Paperback
RRP:
$40.00
Extracted from Tiny Statements: A Social History of Aotearoa New Zealand in Badges by Stephanie Gibson & Claire Regnault (Te Papa Press, $40.00)
Margaret’s magical scarf
Margaret Mahy (1936–2012), the celebrated author of books for children and young adults, wore this badge-adorned scarf when she gave readings in schools and libraries. The scarf bears the many badges that Mahy picked up during her travels. Not surprisingly, they celebrate the power of books.
A Scholastic book badge simply states ‘Reading counts’, and other badges encourage people to ‘Be a read-a-saurus’, ‘Make a book date’ and ‘Buzz to your library’; they announce that ‘Books are bewitching’, ‘take you higher’ and that ‘Happiness is a good book’.
A host of well-loved children’s characters also populate the scarf, from Lewis Carroll’s Alice and Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkle to Jill Marshall’s ‘sensational spylet’ Jane Blonde, and the elusive smiling lion from Mahy’s own children’s classic A Lion in the Meadow.
Most of Mahy’s scarf badges testify to her life with books, but they also hint at other interests, including two fan badges for the World Wrestling Federation stars Ravishing Rick Rude and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage.
Scarf with badges and charms attached, 1980–90s. Scarf knitted by Bridget Mahy, New Zealand. 2389 x 300 mm. Gift of Bridget Mahy and Penny Mahy, 2021. Te Papa (GH018458)