Raphael's way with words is in the genes

IN GOOD COMPANY: Raphael Kidman, 12, with grandmother Dame Fiona Kidman. Raphael beat 148 other pupils to win the Jack Lasenby Writing Award with his story, 'The Big Hairy Monster'. "He's got a wicked sense of humour," Dame Fiona said.

Relevant offers

Books

Film studio sues to prevent more Godfather books 'Axe drink-drive author' Banned Bloody Mama book reclassified Tintin does not break racism law Author, 12, gives proceeds to cancer research The life of a romance writer The Twilight diary World marks Dickens anniversary DC reveals Watchmen prequels Heartbreak in the rubble

Ink flows through Raphael Kidman's veins. The first person the 12-year-old rang when he found out he had won the Jack Lasenby Writing Award was author Dame Fiona Kidman – or "Gran".

Raphael eclipsed 148 other year seven and eight Wellington pupils to win the award for his story, The Big Hairy Monster – a re-imagining of The Three Little Pigs.

It tells the tale of a trio of porkers who hide from the Big Bad Wolf in earthquake-strengthened Te Papa, its superior engineering leaving him out of huff and puff.

Raphael said he had not expected the story to win. "I didn't really believe it at first because I'm not really good at English."

Once he got over the shock, he got on the phone to his award-winning grandmother, who was "quite surprised", but happy to hear the news, Raphael said.

Dame Fiona said her grandson's success was fantastic. "The story is hilarious – he's got a wicked sense of humour."

She hoped he would keep writing and was looking forward to having some competition in the family.

Raphael was not so sure about a career as an author, but said he had enjoyed writing his story. "It was quite fun ... and I got to use my imagination."

Dame Fiona, who has written eight novels, as well as short stories and poetry, has won numerous awards for her writing over the years. She was made a dame in 1998.

The judges of the Jack Lasenby award, which is sponsored by the Wellington Children's Book Association, said Raphael's story was "funny, with great alliteration and clever use of geography".

Kiwi children's author Jack Lasenby will present Raphael with his award in a ceremony at his school, Scots College, tomorrow.

The Big Hairy Monster: An excerpt from Raphael Kidman's book:
"Those pink porky pigs ... ran their baconed bottoms all the way to Te Papa and sprinted up to level 5. The oldest porker was wise and he knew his engineering. He said to his bacon bottom brother and sizzling little sister, `Watch this, that silly old wolf won't be able to blow this newly engineered building down. That big wolf is way too wrinkled and old.' Now that big hairy old wolf, he huffed and puffed and his lips turned blue, he puffed and huffed and his whitened whiskers dropped out and he huffed and puffed and simply fell over."

- © Fairfax NZ News