Winner of New Zealand Post Children's Book Award: Non-Fiction Award 2009. Shortlisted for Storylines Notable New Zealand Books: Non Fiction 2009.

""Gregory O'Brien has successfully combined his knowledge of art and his ability to communicate with young people in producing what can only be described as a stunning and vibrant introduction to contemporary New Zealand art." --Judges of the NZ Post Book Awards for Children and Young People, on" Welcome to the South Seas

Gregory O'Brien is a writer, teacher, painter and curator at Wellington's City Gallery. He has written many books of poetry, fiction, essays and commentary. His recent books include A Nest of Singing Birds: 100 Years of the School Journal; the book- length essay, News of the Swimmer Reaches Shore; and his introduction to art Welcome to the South Seas (AUP), a companion to Back and Beyond, which won the 2005 Non-Fiction Prize at the NZ Post Book Awards for Children and Young People and the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction.