Category: books

Bigfoot, Yeti and Capybara shortlisted in children’s choice awards

The shortlists for the NSW and Victoria children’s choice book awards – the KOALAS and YABBAS – were released today. I’m stoked to see that two of my books were shortlisted in the Picture Story Book category!

Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story and Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas were both shortlisted.

Big thanks to all the young readers who nominated my books for the awards, and to the teachers and librarians who organised voting in their schools!

And congrats to everyone with a shortlisted book. There are so many great ones on the list this year. You can see all the shortlisted books in the poster below.

Eagle-eyed viewers will notice that I got to do the artwork for this year’s poster; it was heaps of fun to have Stella from Stellarphant doing a spacewalk with the mascot of the YABBAs (a mouse) and the KOALAs (a koala of course). See below for the full art.

Buy the books:

🌏 *Signed copies* – Paper bird
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Local Indie bookshops
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 FREMANTLE PRESS
🇦🇺 QBD
🌏 Dymocks
🇹🇼 Books.Com.Tw
🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Oh yes, book launches for OH NO!

Okay, I realise I just had a new book out on April 1st. That wasn’t an April Fools’ joke, it’s an actual book called Fuzzball and you can grab it in bookstores now!

But I have another book coming out in May, and I’m launching it in Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane! Details below.

Oh No! is a very silly picture book about ‘onomatopoeia’ (sound effects) – although in this book they are more appropriately called ‘oh-no-matopoiea’ (the sound of things going very badly).

It’s a super fun read-aloud that is sure to get kids giggling!

Join me to launch the book in April and May.

FREMANTLE launch: Sun April 26th

Join me in my hometown to launch my new picture book! We’ll be joined by author/illustrator extraordinaire Sean E Avery – get set for an epic illustrator duel.

DATE: Sunday April 26th
WHEN: 10:30am
WHERE: Paper Bird Books, 42 Henry St, Fremantle
TICKETS: Free!
RSVP: essential, via humanitix

MELBOURNE launch: Sat May 23rd

Melbourne, it feels like it’s been ages and I’ve missed you. We’ve got the hilarious Adrian Beck joining us for this one – and another epic illustrator duel (provided I survived the one with Sean back in Freo).

DATE: Saturday May 23rd
WHEN: 2:00pm
WHERE: The Little Bookroom, 8 Village Ave, Brunswick East
TICKETS: Free!
RSVP: essential, via humanitix

BRISBANE launch: Sun May 31st

Brizzy, you get a launch too! My bud Pete Carnavas will be joining us for the illustrator duel – but don’t let his calm, wise visage fool you. He is truly a lethal opponent. His pen is mightier than the sword, but that doesn’t change the fact he has a sword (who needs a sword?).

DATE: Sunday May 31st
WHEN: 2:00pm
WHERE: Where The Wild Things Are, 191 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane
TICKETS: a family pass including the book is $25
RSVP: essential, via trybooking

Fuzzball is out today!

Fuzzball is the latest junior fiction novel in the Paw Prints series from Walker Books. ⁠

It’s written by the awesome Nathan Luff and illustrated by me. ⁠

Here’s the official blurb:

When Luca’s mum and dad give him a special present for his birthday, he hopes it’s the pet dog he’s been waiting for. Instead, he gets Fuzzball.⁠
But a guinea pig can’t play fetch, go for walks or learn fun tricks like a dog can. Just when Luca is ready to give up on Fuzzball, he finds something that Fuzzball CAN do …⁠

This was a dream to illustrate – it’s such a funny story from Mr Luff. I hope you enjoy it! ⁠
⁠
Available now from bookstores across Australia and NZ. ⁠Links below.

Buy a copy now:

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 local indie bookshops
🇦🇺🇳🇿 BOOKTOPIA
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Free capybara classroom activities

Hi teachers and parents!

Here are some free activities to go with my latest picture book Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas.

Paper character finger puppets

These mouthy fellas are heaps of fun to make and play with!
There are little paper loops on the back so you can make their mouths open.

Free for non-commercial use (schools, libraries, homes).
Click on the pictures below to download the pages (pdf format).
[These are adapted from an awesome set of farmyard animal puppets found here and many more creature puppets found on twinkl.]

DOWNLOAD BARRY (capybara) PUPPET (pdf)
DOWNLOAD HARRY (monkey) PUPPET (pdf)

Colouring sheets

Free for non-commercial use (schools, libraries, homes).
Click on the pictures below to download the pages (pdf format).

DOWNLOAD SHEET 1 (pdf)
DOWNLOAD SHEET 2 (pdf)
DOWNLOAD SHEET 3 (pdf)

MORE CAPYBARA ACTIVITIES

Buy Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Stellarphant, the show: tickets on sale now!

BOOK NOW

The amazing team at Barking Gecko Arts have adapted my picture book Stelllarphant for the stage. I am so excited for everyone to see this … I’ve been checking out the rehearsals and it’s going to be epic!

From the official blurb:

Join Stella, an elephant who dreams of becoming an astronaut, as she builds her own spaceship and proves that anyone can reach for the stars … this uplifting 55-minute production for children aged 6-12 and their families is packed with heart, humour, and imagination. Perfect for the April school holidays.

Photo: Daniel J Grant

The run opens with general public shows at Subiaco Arts Centre, followed by school group shows around the metro area and regional WA. Full dates below.

TOUR SCHEDULE

  • 15–18 April 2026 | GENERAL PUBLIC SHOWS | Subiaco
  • 21-24 April 2026 | SCHOOL SHOWS | Subiaco
  • 29 April – 1 May 2026 | SCHOOL SHOWS | Kwinana
  • 5-8 May 2026 | SCHOOL SHOWS | Thornlie
  • 12-15 May 2026 | SCHOOL SHOWS | Kalamunda
  • 20-21 May 2026 | SCHOOL SHOWS | Karratha
  • 22 May 2026 | GENERAL PUBLIC SHOW | Port Hedland
  • 29 May 2026 | SCHOOL SHOW | Esperance
BOOK NOW

Huge thanks to the cast and crew at Barking Gecko – you’re absolute superstars!

Bigfoot vs Yeti is a CBCA Notable Book

What a wonderful bit of news – my book Bigfoot vs Yeti: a Love Story is on the Notables list for the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Picture Book of the Year Award!

There are so many wonderful books on the list; congrats all! Check out the list below.

The shortlist will be announced on March 31, and the honour books and winner will be announced on August 21 at the start of Children’s Book Week.

Buy Bigfoot vs Yeti

🌏 *Signed copies* – Paper bird
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Local Indie bookshops
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 FREMANTLE PRESS
🇦🇺 QBD
🌏 Dymocks
🇹🇼 Books.Com.Tw

Happy Barry Capybara has gone bananas

It’s here! My latest picture book, Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas, is out in shops from today.

And the first review is in too:

“pure joy … silly, expressive and full of laugh out loud moments. This was reread twice in one sitting because they wanted to look again. One of our favourites!” – @playful.childhood, Instagram

You can find a copy at your local indie bookshop or online – links below.

Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas

🇦🇺🇳🇿 Australia/NZ edition, published by Scholastic Australia, Feb 2026
ISBN: 9781761725296 (hardback)

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

10 days until Barry Capybara is back!

Happy Barry Capybara is the most chilled-out animal on the savannah. But when his friend the cheeky squirrel monkey, Harry, and his cousins are fighting over the last banana, Barry is left to decide who will get it. Which monkey will win the favour of Barry? Or will Barry have a new lesson to teach them about what it means to share?

This is the long-awaited sequel to my very silly picture book about a super chill capybara, and it’s out on February 1st through Scholastic.

Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas

🇦🇺🇳🇿 Australia/NZ edition, published by Scholastic Australia, Feb 2026
ISBN: 9781761725296 (hardback)

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Bigfoot vs Yeti shortlisted for peace award

Some great news: my picture book Bigfoot vs Yeti is on the shortlist for the 2025 Children’s Peace Literature Award! ⁠ ⁠

It’s a biennial award from the Psychologists for Peace interest group (part of the Australian Psychological Society). ⁠ ⁠

Also on the shortlist are friends and colleagues Deborah Abela, Karys McEwen, Amy Freund, Kooky Chooky, Jared Thomas, David Metzenthen, Larissa Ferenchuk and Prue Pittock . Congrats all! ⁠

Buy a copy:

🌏 *Signed copies* – Paper bird
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Local Indie bookshops
🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 FREMANTLE PRESS
🇦🇺 QBD
🌏 Dymocks
🇹🇼 Books.Com.Tw

New books for 2026

I’ve got four new titles coming out next year!

Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas

First cab off the rank – the sequel to my very silly picture book about a super chill capybara. It’s out in February through Scholastic.

Pre-order now:

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Paw Prints: Fuzzball

This one is part of Walker Books’ Paw Prints series – junior fiction books by funny authors and illustrators. Fuzzball is written by Nathan Luff, illustrated by me! Out in April.

Pre-order now:

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 local indie bookshops
🇦🇺🇳🇿 BOOKTOPIA
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

Oh No!

This is something different for me – a funny picture book about onomatopoeia (i.e sound effects)! Out in May through Penguin.

Pre-order now:

🌏 SIGNED COPIES (PAPER BIRD)
🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS
🌏 Readings
🇦🇺🇳🇿 Booktopia
🌏 Dymocks
🇦🇺 QBD

New book #4

I don’t have a cover to share with you yet, but I can tell you it’s a non-fiction follow up to my most popular book, Stellarphant. It will be my very first non-fiction book! More news on that soon.