Young Readers’ Day

Carla Fitzgerald is a children's author, a recovered lawyer and mum of three, from Sydney. She studied English literature (novels!) and law (not so many novels!) at university. Before discovering the joys of making stuff up, Carla worked in a range of jobs; most recently at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Alison Lester AM's picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the differences that make them special. She is involved in many community art projects and spends part of every year travelling to remote Indigenous communities, using her books to help children and adults write and draw about their own lives. In 2012, Lester became Australia's first Children's Book Laureate, a position she shared with Boori Monty Pryor. She has been awarded the Dromkeen Medal and became the first children's book creator to win the Melbourne Prize for Literature.

Amelia Mellor began her writing career as her secondary school's resident playwright in Year 11. As part of her creative writing course at the University of Melbourne, she completed a thesis on the reinvention of the Industrial Revolution in children's fantasy literature. Her debut novel, The Grandest Bookshop in the World, has won an Australian Book Industry Award, an Indie Book Award, the NSW Premier's Literary Award and Booksellers' Choice Award.

Catherine Norton writes page-turning adventures for kids who love history and a touch of magic. Her first novel for middle grade readers, Crossing, was joint winner of the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the 2015 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and a CBCA Notable Book. Her latest novel, The Fortune Maker, is set in an alternative London where people can really see the future. She lives on Kaurna country with her family.

Jason Pamment is an author and illustrator based in Adelaide. For the past decade, he’s been designing award winning animated short films, commercials, music videos, TV shows and video games. He strives to make artwork that is broadly appealing and immersive, featuring bold colours, fun shapes and evocative lighting.

Kirli Saunders OAM is a proud Gunai Woman, award-winning author, multidisciplinary artist and consultant who creates to connect to make change. Kirli was the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year (2020). She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the arts (2022). Her play, Going Home, is in development. She is currently writing her anticipated novel, Yaraman, assisted by AUSCO.

Anna Walker is an award-winning illustrator and author of many picture books for children published around the world. Her books include Florette, which was a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book. Anna creates illustrations with watercolour, pencil, and collage. Her stories are inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. She lives and works in Melbourne.