Alison Lester

Alison Jean Lester AM (born 17 November 1952) is an Australian author and illustrator who has published over 25 children's picture books and two young adult novels; The Quickstand Pony and The Snow Pony. In 2005 Lester won the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year for her children's book, Are We There Yet?: A Journey around Australia. Her books have been published worldwide.

Alison Lester

AM
Born (1952-11-17) 17 November 1952
Victoria Australia
OccupationWriter
NationalityAustralian
SubjectChildren's Picture Books
Notable awardsDromkeen Medal 2016

Early years and education

Alison Lester was born at Foster in Victoria, Australia. She grew up on a farm overlooking the sea. She was educated at St Margaret's School in Berwick, Victoria, where she stayed as a boarder.[1] She achieved a higher diploma in teaching at The Melbourne Teacher's College, where she trained as a secondary arts and crafts teacher.

Career

Lester taught for a while before starting a family and writing. Her first book was published in 1986.

Alison Lester gallery and bookshop, Fish Creek

Lester lives and works in South Gippsland, Victoria.[2] She has a gallery and bookshop in Fish Creek.[2]

She visits primary schools as a guest speaker. Her picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the differences that make them special.

1979–2008

1979, began illustrating children's books

1985, wrote first book, Clive Eats Alligators

1985–2004, writing and illustrating. Exhibitions at

  • Books Illustrated
  • Fremantle Children's Literature Centre
  • Des Bunyon Gallery
  • Dromkeen
  • Season's Gallery
  • McClelland Gallery

1993, guest speaker at IBBY conference, Manila

1996, received Writers Project Grant from the Australia Council to research the Spanish Riding school in Vienna

1999, writer in residence at Tanglin Trust School, Singapore

2001, guest speaker at Story Lines Festival, Auckland

2002, visiting author at the Bologna Book Fair, Italy, sponsored by the Australia Council

2004, guest speaker, [Simmons College], Boston, United States

2004, visiting author to Seoul, [Korea] for Children's Book Week

2004, visiting author, schools in [Tokyo]

2005, traveled to Antarctica as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow for the Kids Antarctic Art project.

2005, workshops and exhibition of Are We There Yet? in Japan as part of the Asialink literature touring program with the Aichi expo

2005, photographer on tourist ship to Ross Sea region of Antarctica

2006, Are We There Yet? illustrations exhibited in Taipei

2006, first painting for the Kid's Antarctic Art project exhibited at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

2007, visual artist on two voyages to Peninsula region of Antarctica.

2007, Kid's Antarctic Art exhibition opens at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

2007, photographer and writer on voyage around Spitsbergen in the Arctic.

2008, Kids Antarctic Art exhibited at Melbournestyle, South Melbourne, featuring selected works as larger canvasses.

Books

Lester has written a series of picture books about seven children and their favourite things. This series of books is very popular among young children. The books have been published in many different languages.[3] The titles are: When Frank Was Four, Tessa Snaps Snakes, Rosies Sips Spiders, Clive Eats Aligators, Ernie Dances To The Didgeridoo and Celeste Sails to Spain.

Some of her other well known books include; Imagine, The Journey Home, "Kissed by the Moon",[4] Noni the Pony and Magic Beach. Both The Quicksand Pony and The Snow Pony became best-sellers in Australia..

Awards and recognition

Lester's books have received many honours. Her picture book, Clive Eats Alligators was commended in the Australian Picture Book of the Year Awards 1986, Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo was short-listed in 2000 for the same award and her experience-based picture book, The Journey Home, was honoured by the judges in 1990. Her novel, The Quicksand Pony, was named a CBCA Notable Book in 1997.

References
  1. AusLit: Alison Lester(accessed: 26-10-2015)
  2. "Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival mixes traditional and quirky art". ABC News. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  3. "Alison Lester". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. Allen, Nola (2013). Turton, Rayma (ed.). "Cover Book Review". Magpies. 28 (5).
  5. "The Laurates". Australian Children’s Laureate. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. "Alison Lester awarded the 2016 Dromkeen Medal". ForeignAffairs.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  7. Steger, Jason (14 November 2018). "Alison Lester wins the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  8. Hui, Jin (26 January 2019). "Lester on Honours List". Pakenham Gazette. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
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