Join me for a book launch in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Each launch will include a short lecture by renowned astrozoologist Professor Vüpshe Dazchy.
Professor Vüpshe Dazchy, seen here at the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Космодром Байконур) on the 1st of April 1973, shortly before he sent his own tapeworm to space
PERTH, SEPT 29
DATE: Tuesday Sept 29th WHEN: 2:00pm WHERE: Heath Ledger Theatre, WA State Theatre Centre TICKETS: $5 – get your tickets here
SYDNEY, OCT 24
DATE: Saturday October 24th WHEN: 2pm WHERE: Gleebooks, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe RSVP: Rachel@gleebooks.com.au
Barking Gecko Arts’ incredible stage adaptation of Stellarphant is back for a limited run this school holidays!
If you missed it back in May, now’s your chance. It’s got the original cast and creative team, which means you’re in for a treat – they really knocked this out of the park!
Stellarphant is on at the State Theatre Centre from Tuesday September 29 to Saturday 3rd October. Tickets are only $10 and you can book your seats here.
There’s even an Auslan-interpreted session on Thursday 1st October at 11am.
I’m launching my new non-fiction book Amazing Astro Animals on Tuesday Sept 29th at 2pm – that’s right after the 1pm Stellarphant show. Why not grab tickets for both??
Perth’s Awesome Festival is coming up, and I’ve got a bunch of events on!
Plus, book launches for Amazing Astro Animals! LET’S DO THIS!!
PERTH, Sept 29-Oct 3: STELLARPHANT STAGE SHOW
The incredible stage show of Stellarphant is back as part of this year’s Awesome Festival! If you missed it back in May, now’s your chance.
Full of laughter, heart and imagination, Stellarphant takes audiences on a cosmic adventure about determination, equality and following your dreams. Adapted for the stage by Clare Testoni, this uplifting production reminds us that heroes come in all shapes, sizes and species.
DATE: Sept 29 – Oct 3 WHEN: various times WHERE: Heath Ledger Theatre, WA State Theatre Centre, Perth TICKETS: $10. Get your tickets here.
Join me for a laugh-out-loud session where the kids are in charge.
Bring your weirdest and wackiest ideas for stories, because I’ll mash them into the funniest Franken-tale you’ve ever heard — which I’ll also illustrate, live!
Suitable for ages eight and up.
DATE: Thurs October 1st, Fri October 2nd WHEN: 10-11am, 12-1pm WHERE: State Library of WA TICKETS: $10 for kids; free for their adults – get your tickets here
Climb aboard the Story Wheel (aka the Fremantle Esplanade ferris wheel) and treat the young people in your life to their own private 10-minute story time experience with one of WA’s leading writers for children.
Day 1 (Oct 5th): – Jeanette Stampone (10-11am), – Gabriel Evans (11-12pm, 1-2pm), – Deb Fitzpatrick (12-1pm).
Our pirates – Hector, Captain, Stringbean, Jerry Hattrick, Pearl and Puss – are having lots of adventures in the Port City.
Follow the map to track down what this pirate crew is getting up to.
Start your own adventure at Fremantle Town Hall where you’ll be able to collect your Totally Lit Trail Map and then follow the map through the city to find pirate treasure. Every stop on the journey unlocks one of six pieces in the story.
Presented by City of Fremantle and Totally Lit. Artwork created by James Foley.
See off the school holidays in artistic style by joining James Foley for a draw-along.
DATE: Friday 10th September WHEN: 10am – 11am WHERE: The Lane Bookshop TICKETS: general admission $10.00; ‘Book Lover’ $35.00 (includes admission and a hardback copy of Amazing Astro Animals by James Foley, RRP $34.99)
Please note, parents and carers do not need to buy a ticket if they are attending with children.
FREMANTLE, Oct 11: SPONTANEOUS STORYTIME @the big book market
On Sunday, 11 October, Fremantle/Walyalup will host the Big Book Market – an opportunity for book lovers of all interests to discover new titles and great bargains.
This is a free, all ages event.
The day will also include live sessions: 11.30am-12.30pm: James Foley – a story time and live illustration challenge featuring the pirate crew from the Totally Lit Trail. 1.00-2.00pm: Peter Murphy and Fred Rhea – live music and storytelling inspired by their book, Fremantle to Freedom. 2.30-3.15pm: Poetry readings, details TBC
Things to note: – Live presentations will take place in front of the sloping grassed area in Walyalup Koort – so why not pack a picnic, bring a blanket and settle in for a few hours? – In the event of bad weather the Market and live events will relocate indoors to Fremantle Town Hall.
Presented in Walyalup Koort thanks to City of Fremantle
Hi everyone! I’ve got a kid’s drawing workshop coming up in the second week of the July school holidays.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (June 30th) at 9pm. Details below.
7 July – CARTOONS AND COMICS WORKSHOP (for kids)
Dive into the exciting world of comics and cartooning with illustrator James Foley as you learn how to bring your ideas to life on the page!
In this fun and interactive workshop, participants will explore the fundamentals of cartoon drawing and comics-making, from creating expressive characters and dynamic poses to designing backgrounds and planning stories. James will guide aspiring artists through facial expressions, speech bubbles, sound effects, comic layout techniques, and all the essential skills needed to start creating their very own comics.
Whether you dream of drawing superheroes, hilarious adventures, or imaginative graphic novels filled with the kind of humour and creativity found in James’s award-winning books, this workshop is the perfect place to spark your imagination and start telling stories through art.
DATE: Tuesday 7th July WHEN: 10am – 11am WHERE: AH Bracks Library, 431 Canning Hwy, Melville WA TICKETS: essential. Available from 9pm AWST, 30/6/26 at Humanitix.
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.
Fremantle Press was the publisher of my very first book, and we’ve worked on many more since. They’re a WA institution, having kickstarted the careers of many local authors and illustrators. And this year they’re turning 50!
Here’s some ways you can help celebrate.
OPEN DAY, APRIL 24th
Freo Press have got fresh new digs at the old SEC substation in Parry St – check it out at their Open Day! It’s on April 24th from 9:30am-2pm, and includes panel sessions about publishing, as well as tours of the new building.
Wear your support in style! Show your love for Fremantle Press with an exclusive building fund supporter pin or limited-edition tote bag with original artwork by author-illustrator Kelly Canby.
Purchase a 50th anniversary tote bag from the Fremantle Press website before 5.00 pm AWST on Sunday 29 March and it might arrive stuffed full of books! There is a bag of children’s books and a bag of adult books up for grabs. Winners will be drawn at random.
Kalamunda is a beautiful town in the Perth hills, which in 2026 is holding its inaugural Readers’ Festival! I’ve got a bunch of events over the weekend – see below for details.
Are you a young reader? Do you enjoy a day out? Well funnily enough there’s this event coming up that’s perfect for young readers who enjoy a day out, and you wouldn’t believe what it’s called …
Join me as well as Andy J Alexander, Maria Blackman, Cristy Burne, Joanne Colely, Steve Heron, Suzanne Ingelbrecht, Julia Lawrinson, Frané Lessac, Susan Lu, Kristy Nita Brown, Sandi Parsons, Alexander Thorpe and Renée Treml. We’ll be reading a bit of our books, and signing copies, and there’ll be goodie bags and book discounts and general bookish awesomeness!
DATE: Sunday 23rd November TIME: 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: State Library of WA TICKETS: $20 + booking fee (includes entry for up to 6 people, $20 voucher at Boffins pop-up bookshop, and gift bags) BOOKINGS: essential via trybooking.
Nov 25: YABBA online session
I’m running an online session for Victorian schools through YABBA!
All Victorian Government primary & secondary schools are YABBA members in 2025; you can register for the session through the members area of the YABBA website.
Other schools can also access the session, as long as they have a YABBA membership.
DATE: Tuesday 25th November TIME: 9:30am (AEDT) WHERE: online COST: included with YABBA membership REGISTER: via the YABBA website.
This one comes from a session at the State Library of NSW last weekend. I was joined by my author-illustrator bud Sean E Avery (creator of Frank’s Red Hat and Friendly Bee) who provided the live illustrations!
We had some fantastic ideas from the kids in the audience; check out the story below.
‘MEG WYNNE THE PIG-UIN’
Sunday October 26, 10:30am-11:30am
In which a half-pig, half-penguin called Meg Wynne – who spends most of her time diving underwater to catch cabbage fish – decides to chase her long-held dream of flying through the sky.
James Foley 