Gavin Bishop O.N.Z.M. has published over 70 books that have been translated into twelve languages. He has also written the libretti for two children’s ballets for the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

His distinctive ink and watercolour illustrations are a feature of stories that are sometimes traditional, sometimes original.

He has won Best NZ Children's Book of the Year five times, Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year ten times and Best Non Fiction Children's Book of the Year three times.

In 2018 he was awarded the TE TOHU A TA KINGI IHAKA for a lifetime contribution to Maori Art and culture and in 2019 THE PRIME MINISTER'S AWARD for Literacy Achievement.

His alma mater, the University of Canterbury, presented him with an HONORARY DOCTORATE in Education in 2016.

He was nominated for the 2024 Hans Christian Anderson Award, the highest award for Children's Literature in the world.