To read, hear or watch more about Alison in the media, click the headlines below.
If you would like to contact Alison for a media opportunity, please get in touch by filling out our contact form here.
Alison Lester and Ursula Dubosarsky in conversation
25 March, 2021
Current Australian Children’s Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky chats with much loved, much awarded children's author Alison Lester about the joy of illustrating and writing.
Sing Me the Summer by Jane Godwin and Alison Lester: Behind the scenes with Alison
2 October, 2020
Alison Lester takes us behind the scenes of her illustration process for Sing Me the Summer, written by Jane Godwin.
Why anything is possible in children's author Alison Lester's imaginary worlds
22 August, 2020
WHEN children's author and illustrator Alison Lester wrote the picture book, Sophie Scott Goes South, inspired by an expedition to the Antarctic she almost hit an iceberg.
The award-winning author and Australia's Inaugural Children's Laureate from 2011 to 2013 was inspired to write the book after travelling on the Aurora Australis as an Antarctic Arts Fellow in 2005. It tells the story of nine-year-old Sophie who goes on a month-long voyage to the Antarctic, with her dad, the captain of an icebreaker.
'How do you stick the pages together?' Alison Lester answers children’s questions – video
8 August, 2020
The writer and illustrator's books – including Are We There Yet? and Magic Beach – have enchanted Australian kids for generations. As part of Guardian Australia’s ongoing series, we got Alison Lester's readers to do the heavy lifting and ask her their pressing questions. Here, she reveals the location of the real Magic Beach, offers some drawing tips, and shows off her cat
Behind the Painted Ponies: Alison Lester Shares the Inspiration for her New Book
4 November, 2019
I have never been part of a travelling show but I’ve been fascinated with them all my life. When I was a little kid, a big event each year was the local Foster Show. The kids who travelled with the sideshows always came to our school for the week they camped at the show grounds, and I was so envious of their life – travelling all over Australia with their families and animals.
The life and landscapes of Alison Lester
3 August, 2018
Alison Lester's picture books have become a staple for many Australian childhoods.
Titles including Magic Beach and Are We There Yet? have become classics of the genre; as has her young adult novel, The Quicksand Pony.
The Silver Sea
25 January, 2018
Beloved picture book creators Alison Lester and Jane Godwin take us behind the scenes of the production of THE SILVER SEA. This sparkling collaboration with kids from the Royal Children's Hospital explores the hidden treasures of our seas and celebrates the joy of adventure – and of returning home.
Alison Lester awarded the 2016 Dromkeen Medal
22 November, 2016
State Library Victoria today awarded the 2016 Dromkeen Medal to celebrated children’s author Alison Lester.
Alison Lester on indigenous literacy and how reading opens doors
30 August, 2016
Ahead of Indigenous Literacy Day on September 7th, we spoke to Alison Lester, one of Australia’s most loved picture book authors and an Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador, about her work with the ILF and why what they do is so crucial.
Books that changed me: Alison Lester
20 November, 2015
One of Australia's most loved children's authors, Alison Lester, lives on a farm in Victoria. Her new picture book for younger readers, My Dog Bigsy (Viking), is about a dog who causes a commotion among farm animals. Lester has sold more than a million copies of her award-winning books, is an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and helps school students write and illustrate their own books.
Bunyips and Dragons | Alison Lester
4 August, 2015
The artist discusses her working process and why children’s literature is important to her. Bunyips and Dragons at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia 25 Jul – 4 Oct 15, presents an overview of children’s picture books produced over the past 40 years.
Interview with children's author Alison Lester
12 August, 2013
Alison Lester is my favourite children’s author of all time. You may know her as the author and illustrator of the Clive Eats Alligators series, or the spectacular Are We There Yet? I learned that she is also an intrepid traveller and animal lover who shares my passion for the Northern Territory.
Interview: Australian Children's Laureates Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor
15 September, 2012
Something extraordinarily exciting has been happening over the past eighteen months. Australia has been introduced to the inaugural Children's Laureate-–a national ambassador program dedicated to promoting reading, writing, imagination, creativity and storytelling.
The role of the Children's Laureate for 2012 and 2013 is shared by two eminent and much-loved children's authors, Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor.
Alison Lester on techniques
11 October, 2010
Drop into the studio of author and illustrator Alison Lester, and take a journey through the illustrations in her much-loved book, Are we there yet?
Along the way you’ll see how Alison uses watercolours and pencils, and also some nifty stencil and photocopying techniques.
The results are simple and heart-warming pictures that introduce children to a sense of travel and adventure.
Alison also explains how her book is loosely inspired by an actual road trip she did with her family.
Writing the World: Alison Lester, Australian Children’s Laureate
You can almost smell the fresh air and sunshine when you’re talking to Alison Lester. This bestselling children’s writer and illustrator is one of Australia’s two inaugural Children’s Laureates, along with storyteller, Boori Monty Pryor. Talkative, restless and contemplative in turn, Lester is, above all else, a country girl. I had the privilege of meeting her while she was in Galway as she took a few days’ leave from her hectic touring schedule. I started by asking her about her childhood.
The Garret: Writers on Writing - Alison Lester
Alison Lester is an Australian author and illustrator who has published around 30 children's picture books.
Her first book, Clive Eats Alligators, was commended in the Australian Picture Book of the Year Awards in 1986. Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo was shortlisted in 2000 for the same award and her picture book, The Journey Home, received the award in 1990. In 2005 she won the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year award for Are We There Yet?: A Journey around Australia. Alison has also published two young adult novels, one of which (The Quickstand Pony) was named a CBCA Notable Book in 1997. In 2016 My Dog Bigsy was shortlisted for the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year award.