CLICK HERE to find out more about Jen’s beloved Duck Pond (a unique and highly supportive membership site for creators of children’s literature ).
Quick Facts (to help with book reports)
Jen was born in rural Australia, (Horsham, Victoria), on April 25, 1961.
She has lived in Melbourne most of her adult life, but now lives in a small cottage in Central Victoria.
She studied at Monash University, BA First Class Honours (English and Cinema).
Jen has a partner, David, a son, Tristan, and a stepson, Eli. All are way taller than her. One has a beard…
Likes and dislikes
Jen likes: books, films, drawing, painting, gardening, train travel, the beach in winter and drinking Lady Grey tea.
Jen dislikes: cockroaches, running late
Jen’s favourite books as a kid
Five Go Off in a Caravan, by Enid Blyton
The Magic Faraway Tree, by Enid Blyton
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Awards
YABBA (Young Australian Best Book Awards)
Short-listed 2020 Truly Tan: Trapped!
Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards (Birth to Three Years)
Short-listed 2020 Wibble Wobble (Birth to Three Years)
Australian Publishers Association Book Design Awards
Winner 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Best Design Children’s Fiction)
Short-listed 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Best Children’s Cover)
Aurealis Award
Short-listed 2011 Haggis McGregor and the Night of the Skull Moon (Children’s Fiction – told primarily through words)
Short-listed 2009 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Children’s Novel)
CBCA Book of the Year
Notable Book 2017 Blue, the Builder’s Dog (Picture Book of the Year)
Notable Book 2017 Truly Tan: Hoodwinked! (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2016 The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2015 Truly Tan: Freaked! (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2014 Truly Tan: Jinxed! (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2012 The Accidental Princess (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2012 Norman Does Nothing (Younger Readers)
Notable Book 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Younger Readers)
Short-listed 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Younger Readers)[
Prime Minister’s Literary Award
Highly Commended 2012 The Accidental Princess (Children’s Fiction)
Short-listed 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Children’s Fiction)
Davitt Awards
Short-listed 2016 Truly Tan: Hoodwinked! (Best Children’s Novel)
Short-listed 2015 Truly Tan: Freaked! (Best Children’s Novel)
Winner 2014 Truly Tan: Spooked! (Best Children’s Novel)
Short-listed 2014 Truly Tan: Jinxed! (Best Children’s Novel)
W.A. Young Readers Book Award (WAYRBA)
Short-listed 2017 Truly Tan: Hoodwinked! (Younger Readers)
Short-listed 2010 Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Younger Readers)
Better Reading: 50 Books You Can’t Put Down
2013 Truly Tan: Jinxed! (Kids’ Top 50)
Links
Claire Robertson | Mitch Vane | Andrew Joyner | Lucinda Gifford | Lisa Stewart
Gus Gordon | Sue DeGennaro | Lucia Masciullo
HarperCollins Publishers | Penguin Random House
Curtis Brown Literary Agents – AU | UK
Australia Council for the Arts
Pass It On (kidlit online magazine)
