Picture Books
Click on a book title or cover to find out more
(Some linked pages are still under construction.)
Picture books are an art form. The right picture book in young hands can bring about a profound connection with reading – the cornerstone to a lifetime of learning. The right picture book in adult hands can bring about a life-altering understanding. Picture books have been used to explore politics, social justice and existential questions in secondary school classrooms. They have taught the most precious of emotional intelligences – empathy – to generations of children. And they have brought laughter and joy, amazement and wonder to people of all ages.
They’re also a significant undertaking, sometimes taking several years to complete. For me, meeting each new text, is like meeting a new person. First impressions aren’t always lasting impressions, and it takes time to get to know the heart of each text. Choice of media and style of character will have a huge impact on how the final book presents itself. So widely exploring visual approaches is an important part of my process, and my picture books often look very different from one another.
A successful author and illustrator team perform a glorious dance together. Each places their feet alongside the other’s, never stepping on each other’s toes. What the words say, the illustrations have no need to say directly; what the illustrations say, the words have no need to duplicate. A talented publisher knows how to bring out the best in both parties. And a great book designer can bring everything together with typography and text placement, preparing everything for print.
I’ve been fortunate to work with many outstanding teams and talented people, and every one of my trade picture books, has received recognition or an award.
Jo and the NO
Published in March 2025
by Dirt Lane Press
When You’re Older
Published 2022
by Allen and Unwin
Searching for Cicadas
Published 2019
by Walker Books Australia
Leonard Doesn’t Dance
published 2019
by Allen and Unwin
Thunderstorm Dancing
Published 2015
by Allen and Unwin
Goodnight, Mice!
Published 2011
by ABC Books
Chapter Books
Who remembers a moment in childhood curled up with a book in bed, well past lights-out time, perhaps under the covers with a failing torch, completely mesmerised and unable to stop reading? Or a moment hanging in a hammock on a long summer afternoon, pretending not to hear family calling you indoors because you’re currently in another world?
This is junior and middle grade fiction, where newly independent readers begin to find their feet in worlds outside their own, vicariously experiencing danger, tragedy, or even a crazy comedic voice that’s entirely outside their own experience.
And sometimes young readers find solace in a story situation that’s parallel to their own, where a fictional child finds courage or solutions that seem elusive to the reader in their own lives.
These books are usually illustrated in black ink, and occasionally in two colours, but there are a few lavish productions in full colour. I love working in black, so I’ve enjoyed working on junior fiction titles in the past. The longer titles give plenty of room to fully develop loveable characters, and the shorter ones are a satisfying quick turnaround job compared to lengthy picture book projects. But I’m not fast enough to make these financially worthwhile so I don’t do very many.
Click on a book title or cover to find out more
(Some linked pages still under construction.)
Hazel’s Treehouse
Published 2024
by Walker Books Australia
The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler
Published 2017
by Allen and Unwin
Tansy Magill
Published 2012
by Penguin Books Australia
Moon Station
Published 2009
by Penguin Books Australia
Heroes of the Year
published 2011
by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
The Greatest Sheep in History
Published 2011
by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
The Middle Sheep
Published 2011
by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud
Published 2011
by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
The Only Pony
published 2008
by Penguin Books Australia
Tim and Tig
Published 2007
by Penguin Books Australia
Board Books
Board books are a magic portal into reading for our youngest audiences. Sometimes as much teether and toy as they are book, they’re robust and often feature rounded corners. Or else they develop rounded corners after frequent consumption. They usually feature bold illustrations and few words.
Tractor, Tractor! and Tipper, Tipper! are the smallest (and earliest) of my trade books, but were painted in gouache on large sheets of cartridge. I haven’t since returned to this genre, except in the sense that Goodnight, Mice! was reprinted in board book format. But I’d love to return to it one day, and set my mind to the challenge of satisfying our youngest readers’ tastes. (Ahem!)
Tractor, Tractor!
Published in 2007 by Little Hare Books
Tipper, Tipper!
Published in 2008 by Little Hare Books
Judy Watson 
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