Kids' Day

Charlie Archbold is an educator and writer. Her first novel, Mallee Boys, was a CBCA older readers honour book. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat, her first middle-grade novel, was shortlisted for the Text Prize. 

Sarah Ayoub is a journalist, bestselling author and academic with a PhD in migrant Australian YA literature. Her work has been published in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Review of Books, Meanjin and more. She is a Stella Schools Program ambassador, contributed to anthology Arab, Australian, Other and was a judge for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. She was elected to the board of the Australian Society of Authors in 2021 and is currently working on her first novel for adults. Her books include Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee, The Cult of Romance and The Love That Grew. 

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, the Tom Weekly series, and Nit Boy. Ginger Meggs, Tristan’s 100th anniversary book of short stories, is based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, ABIA, YABBA, KOALA, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Queensland Literary Awards. His latest book is Cop & Robber.

Mem Fox's first book, Possum Magic, still available in hardback after 39 years, has become a beacon of children’s literature for millions of Australian families. She has written over 40 children’s books, many of which have been bestsellers in Australia and the USA, including Time for Bed and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.   

Max Gillies is a political satirist and Simon Armitage aficionado. His eight stage revues toured nationally, beginning with Squirts at the Dunstan Playhouse in 1981 and finally with Once Were Leaders which played at the same venue in 2017. The Gillies Report appeared on ABC TV. 

Shaun Micallef is an Australian comedian, writer, actor, producer and author. After a decade of practising law, Micallef threw it all away for a life in comedy. Since 1994 he has graced Australian TV screens in shows such as Full Frontal and Sea Change, Thank God You’re Here and Talkin’ Bout Your Generation and his own shows - the Micallef P(r)ogram(me), Micallef Tonight, Newstopia and Mad as Hell for the last fourteen seasons. He has received Logies, AFIs, AACTAs and an Aria. He’s also written six books, including his recent memoir Tripping Over Myself.

Since he was little, Jason Pamment has loved to dream up stories of adventure – vibrant worlds filled with strange and wonderful characters. He designs award-winning animated films, children's television shows, music videos, commercials and video games. Treasure in the Lake is his debut graphic novel.   

Jol Temple has written more than 20 hilarious books for kids with his writing partner Kate Temple. He writes graphic novels like the Underdogs as well as the best-selling picture books series Bin Chicken. When he's not writing books about Bin Chickens, Jol is out visiting schools and talking about why they are such an awesome Australian bird.

Kate Temple has written more than 20 books for children with her writing partner, Jol Temple. The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat is her first solo book. When she is not writing, Kate enjoys eating cake - just like the characters in her book!