EMMA ALLEN
I like to imagine that my mind is an interesting coat. It is covered with pockets, of all shapes and sizes. I like to keep stories in these imaginary pockets. Some stories have lived with me for a long time. They give me a nudge when they feel ready to be told.
When I was in primary school I read books, built cubbies and made mud pies with my friends. I watched my dog chase dragonflies in the paddock. I observed snails travel along the concrete path at our school. I wondered about the future and I spent many hours daydreaming about what I would be when I grew up.
Years on, I'm still dreaming. Stories help us to do that. Stories help us to imagine what is possible. This fills me with endless hope and wonder.
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For those who like the details:
Emma holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology); a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in literature and film); a Masters of Arts (creative writing). She is currently working towards the completion of her PhD (creative writing).
Emma’s books include ‘The Terrible Suitcase’ (CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year 2013; Shortlisted WA Premier’s Book Awards; NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge), ‘Grandma the baby and me’ (featured on ABC Playschool ‘Faces and Feelings’ series), ‘My Friend Ernest’ (Speech Pathology Australia Awards 2016; NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2021), ‘Digby and Claude’ (CBCA Notables Award List 2019, Premier’s Reading Challenge),‘The Night of the Hiding Moon’ (March, 2020) and ‘The Great Book-Swapping Machine’ (October 2021). Emma has an interest in experimental writing. Her photographic and written experimental work has featured in the journal ‘Westerly.’
Emma currently lives with her family which includes a naughty Irish Terrier. She loves going for long walks, thinking about the world, taking photographs, making things and spending time with the young people in her life.
The Great Book-Swapping Machine (illustrated by Lisa Coutts) October 2021
Reading Time review can be found here:
The Night of the Hiding Moon (illustrated by Shir Rill Ng) March 2020 - a poetic story about the power of the imagination
Teachers notes here:
chaos = ideas
Dim's Write Stuff Review here:
Reading Time Review here:
Digby and Claude (illustrated by Hannah Sommerville) -a thought provoking story about belonging and ideas of home
Teacher's notes here:
Read Plus review here:
Grandma,the baby and me (illustrated by Hannah Sommerville) - Features on the ABC Playschool Curriculum DVD series 'Faces and Feelings'
Teacher's notes can be found here:
'My Friend Ernest' (illustrated by Hannah Sommerville) Shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia Awards and also released in the United Kingdom.
Teacher's notes can be found here:
'The Terrible Suitcase' illustrated by Freya Blackwood) - CBCA Book of the Year, Early Childhood 2013. Shortlisted for the Western Australia Premier's Literary Awards.
Now translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean
Teacher's notes found here:
