for teachers – James Foley

Free events in Cairns, Queensland

I’m travelling to sunny Cairns for the very first time as part of Australia Reads’ ‘Lit Up’ initiative!

While I’m there, I’ve got a couple of FREE public events.

Details below.

April 30: panel session with author Lachlann Carter, QLD

Join myself and Cairns local Lachlann Carter for this FREE live literacy event!

Perfect for educators, parents, and children, this lively session celebrates reading, storytelling, and a love of books for all ages.

DATE: Thursday April 30th
WHEN: 4:00pm
WHERE: MacKillop Catholic College, 1 MacKillop Drive, Mt Peter QLD
TICKETS: free
REGISTRATION: essential, via trybooking.

May 2: Spontaneous Storytime @ Cairns City Library, QLD

Step into the world of storytelling with award-winning author and illustrator James Foley!

LIVE and on the spot, James will draw a brand-new illustrated story right in front of you, based entirely on suggestions from the audience.

From quirky characters and unexpected plot twists, all the ideas come directly from YOU!

Don’t miss this funny and creative storytelling session, proudly supported by Australia Reads’ Lit Up Initiative.

DATE: Saturday May 2nd
WHEN: 9:30-10:30am
WHERE: City Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns, QLD
TICKETS: FREE – registration not required
ENQUIRIES: call the library on (07) 4044 3720

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.

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!

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

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.

Spontaneous Storytimes at the Awesome Festival

I ran some improv storytelling sessions at the Awesome Arts Festival this week – where the kids came up with the ideas, and I illustrated them live! Huge thanks to all the amazing young storytellers who came along and offered up madcap characters, preposterous plot points and epic endings.

Session 1: ‘Luca the Heartbroken Toaster’

Wednesday October 1, 11:15am-12:15pm

In which Rosita, the sea star-girlfriend of Luca the Toaster is kidnapped by the evil Captain Bob, the intergalactic Butter Pirate. Captain Bob is called a Butter Pirate not because he steals butter, but because his body is a chunk of butter. Captain Bob flies off into space in his ship, the Blendar 1, with Rosita in a cage beside him.

Behind the scenes on Bigfoot vs Yeti

If you’d like a little more info on how my latest picture book was put together, here’s some recent media clippings:

an interview with the wonderful Rebecca Newman at Alphabet Soup about the development of Bigfoot vs Yeti,
and an article on the Fremantle Press website about the digital linocut technique used for the book.

INTERVIEW
Bigfoot vs Yeti
Alphabet Soup
with Rebecca Newman

ARTICLE
From Linocut to iPad
on the Fremantle Press website

You could win a school visit from me!

I love working with StoryBox Library – they’re a wonderful company that creates video read-aloud of Australian children’s books, often read out by the creators themselves. I’ve recorded a few videos with them in the past! I also helped out with their fantastic classroom lesson program, Story Tools.

So when StoryBox Library asked me if I wanted to be part of a competition for Australian schools, how could I say no?

Free capybara drawing tutorial

They’re the internet’s favourite animal! Have you ever wanted to know how to draw a capybara?

Here’s a free step-by-step drawing tutorial showing you how to draw Barry from my picture book Happy Barry Capybara.

Order ‘Happy Barry Capybara’

🌏*Signed copIes* – PAPER BIRD

🇦🇺🇳🇿 LOCAL INDIE BOOKSHOPS

Events for Feb – April

I’ve got a couple of workshops and book launches coming up – details below!

Feb 10 – free virtual school session

Join me for a digital event on Feb 10. I’ll read Stellarphant and Happy Barry Capybara, as well as lead a quick draw session and engage in a live Q&A.

DATE: Monday February 10th
WHEN: 10:00 – 10:45am AEDT
WHERE: online
AGES: early stage 1, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3
COST: free
BOOKING: log in to book your place

March 15 – Bigfoot Vs Yeti book launch (WA)

Get ready for a fun-filled celebration of imagination, rivalry and unexpected friendship! Join us on Saturday 15 March at The Literature Centre for the highly anticipated launch of Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story.

From participating in a fun tug-of-war or ‘snowball’ fight (no risk, all fun!), this event is packed with exciting, hands-on activities for all ages.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of James’s work or new to his world, this event is a perfect opportunity to dive into the adventure and joy of Bigfoot vs Yeti. Bring your family, friends and love for reading – there’s something for everyone!

DATE: Saturday March 15
TIME: 11am-1pm AWST
WHERE: The Literature Centre, Cnr Knutsford St & Hampton Rd, Fremantle WA
REGISTRATION: essential, via Humanitix

March 17 – Harmony Week with James Foley (Free virtual session)

I’ve got a FREE virtual primary schools session coming up in March!

It’s available to schools across Australia.

I’ll read my new picture book Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story, plus we’ll do some drawing and a Q&A.

DATE: Monday March 17th
WHEN: 10:00 – 10:45am AEDT
WHERE: online
AGES: primary (early stage 1, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3)
COST: free
BOOKING: essential

NB: If you can’t make it to the live session, you can still register and get access to a recording for two weeks afterwards.

March 29 – Bigfoot vs Yeti + Dungzilla double book launch (NSW)

I’ll be in Sydney at the end of March to celebrate the release of Bigfoot vs Yeti and the new colour edition of Dungzilla! Join me at Gleebooks in Glebe for a ridiculously fun double book launch.

DATE: Saturday March 29
TIME: 10:30am
WHERE: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, NSW
REGISTRATION: rachel@gleebooks.com.au

April 9 – The Art of Illustrating Books (workshop)

Learn how to break into the arts as an illustrator with some practical advice from a professional writer, illustrator and cartoonist – me! Join me for this evening workshop.

DATE: Wednesday April 9th
WHEN: 6 – 7:30pm
WHERE: Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre, 3 Rocca Way, Wanneroo
TICKETS: essential. $10 per person