Award-winning children’s author
As an Australian best-selling children’s author – I write stories for children to share with their grown-ups.
My award-winning children’s picture books and short stories connect with many.
I’m the CBCA 2022 Winner of Children’s Book of the Year – Early Childhood, the winner of the 2023 Aust Speech Pathology Book of the Year 5-8 yo’s for Jetty Jumping.
And I wrote the Notabled 2024 Picture Book of the Year – Early Childhood for In the Rockpool. which is the hero face of Australian Picture Books for the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
This was followed by the Notabled 2025 Picture Book of the Year – Early Childhood for Amid the Sand Dunes.
I am a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellow and I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Media, and Post-Graduate in Crisis Communications, which means I am very good at sniffing out stories and am quite calm during re-writes!
My notebooks are overflowing with new characters, and exciting settings and smudged with story-fuelling Cherry Ripes.
Summer is my favourite state of being, beaches are my happy place and books are my forever friends. I write from my house with towering book piles, tucked in amongst the sand dunes of Bunurong Country on the the Mornington Peninsula.
My love of words has joined forces with my love of children’s books.
I joyfully write children’s books and there are the robust makings of a YA novel currently taking shape too.
Jetty Jumping, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville, and published by Hardie Grant, was released in January 2021. It won the 2022 CBCA Children’s Picture Book of the year – Early Childhood. Thanks for loving it Australia!
Sunday Skating and In the Rockpool, were again illustrated by the most talented Hannah Sommerville and published by Hardie Grant.
In the Rockpool was awarded the 2024 CBCA Notable Picture book of the Year – Early Childhood. It’s follow-up Amid the Sand Dunes has been Notabled in the 2025 CBCA Picture Book of year celebrations.
I have several more books on the way between 2024 – 2026!
I have appeared in several anthologies and collections, I’m the winner of the 2020 Hal Porter Short Story Award, 2023 Mulga Bill Writing Award and Highly Commended for 2024 Mulga Bill Writing Award
I write books for children, and books for grown-ups to love too. There’s a few other stories floating in the book-osphere waiting to land as well.
Read and Roll Road Trip for Sunday Skating
I am rolling right along with the release of Sunday Skating roll and visiting bookstores and libraries, and even skate centres for story times and signings. While there's quite a hefty list of wheelie fun visits with bookstores (34 and counting!) ... there are also...
Celebrate our new book Sunday Skating. Colour and win!
As Sunday Skating rolls right out into bookstores today, join us in celebrating this special milestone. Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, Hannah Sommerville and I invite you to colour and win super skate prizes. All you need to do is download the colouring sheet,...
Readings Monthly cover – a pinch me moment
This is kind of a big moment in my story stratosphere My latest picture book Sunday Skating launches this week with the incredibly talented illustrator extraordinaire Hannah Sommerville. This month, it’s on the cover of Readings Monthly, produced by one of our...
National Simultaneous Story Time
Sloth selfies and storytime We were the fittest bunch of storytime readers at Rosebud library that you ever did see! Thanks to all who joined us for Australian Library and Information Association National Simultaneous Story Time at Mornington Peninsula...
When the writing’s on the wall
When your local bookstore asks you to write a few words …. And then they put it on their wall!!! Thank you to Sorrento's Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery for such an honour
Sunday Skating is all set to launch
Rolling out a new book Get your skates on and come join the Book Launch fun as we roll out our brand new picture book, Sunday Skating. Illustrator Extraordinaire Hannah Sommerville and I have teamed up once again, along with our publishing crew at Hardie Grant...
Tuning into story secrets as a podcast guest
Podcasts are a super way to learn about authors' writing style, motivations, and blockages, and to take inspiration for your own writing life as well. They're also a great way to share the news when there's a new book out and learn what to watch out for in the...
Cover Girl moment
Senior Mag cover girl - better late then never! I am currently contemplating my new career as a cover girl at 53! Thanks, Go55s for the lovely chat … I loved reflecting on the picture book writing journey so far. And much thanks to the wonderful Sarah Halfpenny for...
The stories we shared at Sorrento Writers Festival
A swell time at Sorrento Writers Festival When book worlds comes to your patch of the coastline. A whole lot of fun is had. So many incredible authors unpacking country crime, kids books, memoir and writing journey’s, hijacked histories, short stories, poetry, writing...
Writer in the Window during Drift Festival
Between the lines - writing from a bookstore window "Hey! Come sit with me and share your story, I’ll whip it up into a microfiction tale. I’m the WRITER IN THE WINDOW at Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery during Drift Arts Festival There are so many super...
I’m an Ardoch Writer in Resident
Student story telling and literacy love Super thrilled to share that I'm partnering with Ardoch as a schools-based 2023 Writer in Resident I go way back with them from my corporate communications days so it's lovely to connect again. Ardoch is a children’s education...
Teen Zine making workshop
The Zine people have spoken! I'm bringing back my popular TeenZine workshops for teens Come write and design your own zine with me. Thanks to Mornington Peninsula Shire for their Creative Economy Grant support, I'm hosting a free Teen zine-making workshop for...
Mulga Bill Writing Award winning short story
Australian short story win A little bit chuffed to share that I've been awarded 2nd prize in the Mulga Bill Writing Award coordinated by Eaglehawk Library. I've been a huge fan of the works produced from this award, and of course, its namesake Mulga Bill, who was the...
New book contract signed
Another saltwater and sandy book contract signed A tiny bit thrilled to sign my next contract for a tiny book about rockpools with Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing. Hannah Sommerville and I are back together again to share our seaside love. This one is close to my...
I’m an Author Penpal
Grade 5 Little Me is beside herself! Letters in the post form a real live author. The funny thing is that the author is me! I am super excited to be a part of the new Author Pen Pal program initiated by authors Kate Foster and Dee White. That means I'll be sharing...
There’s words in them thar hills of Mansfield
Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival The magic of the first ever Mansfield Readers & Writers was … well, I’m lost for words. Odd for a writer! But this inaugural celebration of stories in the high country was a literary event to savour. So many incredible...
Sunday Skating cover reveal
Sunday Skating cover reveal So thrilled to share the stunning cover of our new picture book SUNDAY SKATING You might recognise this crew - our jetty jumpers are back to share a story of self-doubt, courage, friendship and wonderful wheels! I can’t wait for you to...
Can you help me with my picture book writing?
The three big questions I am often asked are 'Do you have any writing tips?' or 'How can I get published?' or 'Could you please read my manuscript?" Can I help you? Yes, and no. I'm flattered that you've thought to ask me, especially when there are so many...
2023 Book Week bookings open
BOOK WEEK AND EDUCATION WEEK REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN Educators, Librarians, and Community and Event Programmers ... I still have a few author talks, workshops and story time spots left for 2023's Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week (19 - 25 August with...
Author & Illustrator meet-up (finally)
We two! At last! The most talented Hannah Sommerville and I are finally in the one place, together. Between us we’ve wrangled: two states across Australia two years of lockdowns life and all the other flotsam and jetsam But this weekend my friends, this weekend we...