I am a member of the Australian Society of Authors, the Children’s Book Council, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a CYA judge, an Author Pen Pal and an Author Ambassador for the Little Reader’s Read-a-thon.

I love all things green and completed doctoral research exploring how to encourage positive environmental habits in young people.

Inspired by our overactive compost and a few rogue worms that broke into the kitchen, my co-authors and I penned our first eco-picture book – Harriet’s Hungry Worms.

Together with the marvellous Melissa Johns’ inventive illustrations incorporating recycled materials, I’m hoping it will inspire young worm warriors to roll up their sleeves and put their kitchen food scraps to good use.

I’m delighted to report that the worms have taken a bite out of the Big Apple and won the NYC Big Book Award (Picture Books: Ages 4-8)! Harriet’s Hungry Worms also earned a spot on the 2024 Rubery Book Awards shortlist in the Children and YA category.  The Rubery judges praised it as “a clever combination of factual information, vivid and fascinating illustrations and, above all, a story that will draw children in.”

The Rubery Prize is an international book award celebrating books published by independent presses – like my excellent publisher EK Books. And I’m thrilled that my second eco picture book is also being published by EK.

I love visiting kinders, ELCs, schools, libraries and festivals, where I share my passion for storytelling. My interactive sessions combine storytelling, hands-on activities, worm dancing and plenty of fun – leaving students excited about writing and making their own positive impact on the planet.

About Harriet’s Hungry Worms

In a shady corner of Harriet’s backyard is a big, green box. And inside that box are hundreds of… worms! They spend their days munching on anything from Aunt Tilda’s herbal teabags to the sports pages of Uncle Sam’s paper. Harriet watches and waits, but the worms don’t seem to do anything… until one day they leave her a big surprise!