Mette Newth
Encyclopedia
Mette Cecilie Newth is a Norwegian illustrator, author of children's literature, and organizer.
as the daughter of journalist, crime writer and revue writer Fridtjof Knutsen
and his wife Alfhild Gundersen (known as the crime writer Lalli Knutsen, and under the pseudonym Lalli Løvland). She married writer Philip Newth
in 1963. The couple settled at Rykkinn
in Bærum
, and had the son Eirik Newth
, an author.
and has studied sculpture at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
. She made her literary debut in 1969 with the picture book Den lille vikingen. Her breakthrough as illustrator came with Lille Skrekk from 1975, about a lizard child. Her book Skomakerdokka from 1977 was inspired by Alf Prøysen
's stories. She has illustrated books for deaf children, using sign language. Her book Nora og ordene from 1979, about a deaf girl, uses both text and sign language. In cooperation with her husband Philip she made the picture book Ballsprett (1980) for mentally deficient children. She received the Norwegian Critics Prize for Best children's book in 1985 for the children's book Soldreperen, together with her husband and co-writer Philip Newth
. Her youth's novel Bortførelsen from 1987 received international recognition and was translated into 14 different languages. The novel treats the colonialization of Greenland
in the 17th century, and includes elements from Inuit myths and legends
. Her book Erobringen from 1988 is also about the Inuit
. Among the picture books she has made in cooperation with the writer Paal-Helge Haugen
are Vårfuglen from 1989, Gjennom steinen from 1990, and Eldsalamanderen from 1994. In 1995 she received the critics' prize for the second time, for the children's book Det mørke lyset. This novel treats the situation of the lepers in Norway in the early 19th century. She chaired the organization Norwegian Writers for Children
for two periods, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1981 to 1982. She was the rector of the Oslo National Academy of the Arts
from 1999 to 2002.
Personal life
Mette Newth was born in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
as the daughter of journalist, crime writer and revue writer Fridtjof Knutsen
Fridtjof Knutsen
Fridtjof Knutsen was a Norwegian journalist and crime novelist.He was born in Harstad, and was married to Lalli Knutsen. Their daughter Mette Knutsen married Philip Newth and had the son Eirik Newth....
and his wife Alfhild Gundersen (known as the crime writer Lalli Knutsen, and under the pseudonym Lalli Løvland). She married writer Philip Newth
Philip Newth
Philip Newth is a Anglo-Norwegian author of children's literature. He has written more than fifty books, including books for deaf and blind children.-Personal life:...
in 1963. The couple settled at Rykkinn
Rykkinn
Rykkinn is a dormitory town in the north-west of Bærum with about 10,000-15,000 inhabitants. It is located between Kolsås and the area of Skui and Vøyenenga....
in Bærum
Bærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
, and had the son Eirik Newth
Eirik Newth
Eirik Newth is a Norwegian astrophysicist, writer of popular science for children, and media personality.He received the Brage Prize in 1996 for the children's book Jakten på sannheten....
, an author.
Career
Mette Newth is educated as a ceramic from the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art IndustryNorwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
The Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry was established in 1818.In 1996 the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry became part of Oslo National Academy of the Arts .-Noted alumni:-External links:*...
and has studied sculpture at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
The Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts is a Norwegian university offering studies in the areas of specialization painting, photography / video / film, digital art, sound art, sculpture, installation, performance art, and art theory.-History:...
. She made her literary debut in 1969 with the picture book Den lille vikingen. Her breakthrough as illustrator came with Lille Skrekk from 1975, about a lizard child. Her book Skomakerdokka from 1977 was inspired by Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen
Alf Prøysen , was a writer and musician from Norway. He was born at Rudshøgda in Ringsaker. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio.His childhood was...
's stories. She has illustrated books for deaf children, using sign language. Her book Nora og ordene from 1979, about a deaf girl, uses both text and sign language. In cooperation with her husband Philip she made the picture book Ballsprett (1980) for mentally deficient children. She received the Norwegian Critics Prize for Best children's book in 1985 for the children's book Soldreperen, together with her husband and co-writer Philip Newth
Philip Newth
Philip Newth is a Anglo-Norwegian author of children's literature. He has written more than fifty books, including books for deaf and blind children.-Personal life:...
. Her youth's novel Bortførelsen from 1987 received international recognition and was translated into 14 different languages. The novel treats the colonialization of Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
in the 17th century, and includes elements from Inuit myths and legends
Inuit mythology
Inuit mythology has many similarities to the religions of other polar regions. Inuit traditional religious practices could be very briefly summarised as a form of shamanism based on animist principles....
. Her book Erobringen from 1988 is also about the Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
. Among the picture books she has made in cooperation with the writer Paal-Helge Haugen
Paal-Helge Haugen
Paal-Helge Haugen is an award-winning Norwegian lyricist, novelist, dramatist and children's writer.Haugen was educated as a medical student at the University of Oslo. During the period 1965-67, Haugen was a member of the editorial team of literary magazine Profile...
are Vårfuglen from 1989, Gjennom steinen from 1990, and Eldsalamanderen from 1994. In 1995 she received the critics' prize for the second time, for the children's book Det mørke lyset. This novel treats the situation of the lepers in Norway in the early 19th century. She chaired the organization Norwegian Writers for Children
Norwegian Writers for Children
The Norwegian Writers for Children was founded in 1947. The association, composed of authors who write fiction for children and young people, promotes the interests of writers of books for children and young people and encourages literature for children and young people. NBU has almost 300 members....
for two periods, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1981 to 1982. She was the rector of the Oslo National Academy of the Arts
Oslo National Academy of the Arts
The Oslo National Academy of the Arts is a university college in Oslo, Norway, that provides education in visual arts, design and performing arts...
from 1999 to 2002.