Kristen Willis is an award-winning children’s book illustrator. She received a CBCA award for her debut picture book, Peek-a-Boo Lottie and the hits have just kept coming with Casa Mia, Bay Girls and the beautiful Evie’s Spare Love!

Kristen also runs her wonderful passion project, Piccolo Prints, an ingenious art vending machine that can be taken with her to KidLit events and festivals. A passionate advocate for the KidLit community, Kristen also serves as the SCBWI Queensland Illustrator Coordinator, and general champion of all things art and KidLit!

Contact links:

www.tondo.com.au

www.instrgam.com/tondocreative

www.facebook.com/tondocreative

Piccolo prints:

www.instagram.com/piccoloprints_bytondo www.facebook.com/piccoloprints

www.tondo.com.au/piccolo-prints

Book links:

https://www.tondo.com.au/peekaboolottie

https://www.tondo.com.au/casamia

Dr Sally Murphy is an author of over 50 children’s books and lecturer in Literacy at Curtin University. Her life’s goal is to write for, read with and speak to as many people as possible, and spread a passion for reading and writing to children and adults worldwide.

In 2022 Sally was awarded an OAM - Medal of the Order of Australia - in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her contributions to children’s literature and education.

And now she is here, on Modern Classic Wildcard!

www.sallymurphy.com.au

Instagram: @sallymurphyauthor

SHARON GILTROW is an award-nominated children's author. She writes stories that bring joy, laughter and connection to families everywhere. Sharon grew up the youngest of eight children in a century-old farmhouse, where she turned her bedroom into a library filled with other people's books. Today, in her Perth home, she's filling the shelves with her own!

Information about her and her wonderful Utility Belt Junior Fiction series: Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt and Toby King and The Utility Belt can be found on her website: www.sharongiltrowauthor.com

Lauren Hackney joins the pod to talk about her favourite modern, classic and wildcard kids' books!

Lauren Hackney is a Queensland-based author and screenwriter who began writing stories with her children in 2020 after her aviation career ended and her husband suffered a near-fatal heart attack. What began as a journey of healing turned into a creative path, culminating in her internationally sold chapter book The Lolly Shop, which she has since adapted into an award-winning animated screenplay. Many stories have followed in forms of picture books, novels and screenplays, spanning many genres.

Lauren's beautiful storytelling blends heart, humour, and a touch of magic - often inspired by family, the bond they share, and resilience. She is also the host of a YouTube interview series spotlighting authors and creatives across the literary world.

Instagram: @lbe.hackney

Welcome to the official trailer of the brand new KidLit podcast Modern Classic Wildcard!