Author School Visits
All my author school visits are creative, hands-on, and FUN, bringing stories to life through art. I’m an art teacher – so each workshop is designed to be playful and immersive, with a strong focus on making, drawing, and creating because that’s what makes learning meaningful, memorable, and fun for everyone.
Browse the five presentations below, choose the best fit for your school, and get in touch! Filling out the form is just a request to book – there’s no commitment.
After your initial enquiry, I’ll send through my visit information and fee guide.
You can also bring My nonno Loves and My nonna Loves into your classroom by downloading my FREE teacher’s notes.
EARLY LEARNING
Nonno and Nonna’s Love: Discovering Family and Love
This fun and engaging session brings my picture books My Nonno Loves and My Nonna Loves, to life in your Early Learning centre.
I’ll read both stories to the children, and then we’ll enjoy a hands-on colouring activity where children create a special picture about the people they love most.
It’s a simple, heartwarming way to start conversations about family, love, and the special people in our lives.
Time: 40 minutes
FOUNDATION to GRADE 2
Nonno and Nonna’s Stories: Discovering Family and Celebrations
This joyful and interactive presentation brings my stories MY NONNO LOVES and MY NONNA LOVES to life in your classroom. Through storytelling, discussions, and creative activities.
The presentation connects the Foundation to Grade 2 Victorian Curriculum, exploring Cultural Practices and Cultural Diversity in a hands-on, imaginative way.
Together we will explore:
- What makes our families special?
- What are some of our family traditions and celebrations?
- What are our favourite celebrations?
- What are some symbols that depict our celebrations?
Kids will discover:
- How families celebrate in different ways
- How their friends share special celebrations
- What it might be like to experience traditions in other families.
What we’ll do together on the day:
- Storytelling from my Nonna and Nonno books
- Interactive visual presentation about my family and the themes in my book
Including: Family Tradition Share and Our favourite celebrations - A hands-on art activity: creating a MY FAMILY LOVES mobile from symbols that represent each child’s cultural background, family traditions, special celebrations or even special moments that make their family unique, using watercolours, markers, card paper and string. A little example is shown here.
Time: 60 minutes
Grade 3 – 4
Creating Stories Through Art: What Does Love Look Like?
This presentation/workshop invites students to explore storytelling through art and visual expression. Inspired by themes of family, connection, and everyday moments, students will discover how powerful stories can be told without using words or even drawing people.
The presentation connects to the Grade 3–4 Victorian Curriculum, exploring creating and examining literature and interpreting texts through visual art. It’s a playful and meaningful way for students aged 8–10 to build creative confidence while exploring the important and beautiful idea of love and connection.
Together we will explore:
- How stories and feelings can be expressed through images, colour, and symbols
- The different ways love can be shown in everyday life
- How artists communicate big ideas without using words or characters
- How small moments can inspire meaningful artworks
Kids will discover:
- How to notice and recognise acts of love and care in their own lives
- Ways to represent feelings using colour, shape, and visual metaphor
- How to turn an idea or emotion into an artwork
- That there is no one “right way” to show meaning in art
What we’ll do together on the day:
Take home a finished piece of art to share with family!
Hear a live read-aloud, focusing on themes of family, love, and connection
Explore how illustrations can communicate meaning beyond words
Brainstorm different ways love might “look” using mixed media – crayons, textas, cut and paste.
Create a personal collage artwork that answers the question: What does love look like? A little example is shown here.
Time: 60 minutes
Grade 5 – 6
Cultural Connections: Learning through our stories
Through colourful, hands-on storytelling activities students will reflect on their own cultures and see how different traditions can bring us closer together. It’s a great way to learn about diversity, respect, and how we can celebrate what makes us all unique!
Linking the Victorian Curriculum Intercultural capabilities, we will explore traditional celebrations, family relationships, gender roles, daily routines, leisure activities and language.
Together we will explore:
- The importance of family traditions, celebrations, and cultural values.
- How different traditions bring people closer together.
- The beauty of diversity and how it connects us.
Kids will discover:
- How are different traditions similar or different?
- How do we make connections between our traditions and others through exploring themes like family, celebration, and daily routines.
- The richness of different traditions, showing how diverse practices contribute to a shared humanity.
What we’ll do together on the day:
- Italian ex voto hearts, or cuori votivi, are traditional heart-shaped artworks. They commonly feature decorative elements including patterns, or symbolic imagery, and are used to represent meaningful moments, experiences, and stories.
- Inspired by this idea, students will create their own ex voto heart using various media, reflecting personal or shared traditions, celebrations, or meaningful experiences. Each artwork will be unique, using symbols, patterns, and imagery to tell a story.
- These individual pieces will then come together to form a larger, collective collage: celebrating diversity, connection, and the richness of everyone’s experiences.
Time: 90 minutes
Heart Artwork by: www.millie-amber.co.uk
VCE Year 11 – 12
No Straight Lines: Finding Your Creative Path
What does a creative career actually look like?
In this honest presentation, I share my journey as an art teacher, children’s book author, workshop facilitator and creative, showing students that there isn’t one set pathway into a creative career.
I share how my different interests and skills have connected over time, from studying art and becoming a teacher, to writing and publishing children’s books, working with my illustrator sister, running workshops and developing a career that continues to evolve.
Together, students will explore:
- What does a career in the creative industries actually look like?
- How can you turn your creative interests into a career?
- Is it possible to have more than one creative career?
- How do artists and creatives make a living?
- What skills are valuable beyond technical artistic ability?
- How important are persistence, curiosity and resilience?
- What happens when your career doesn’t follow the plan?
- How can you create opportunities for yourself?
Students will discover:
- The different pathways into creative careers
- How creative skills can be transferred between different jobs
- The realities of working as a professional creative
- How a creative career can evolve and change over time
- The importance of networking, collaboration and putting your work out into the world
- That you don’t necessarily have to choose one thing to be successful
Time: 60 minutes
Enquire about a school visit
FAQ
Can you present to the whole school?
All my workshops are designed for 30 students or fewer for workshops that include an art activity. Smaller groups allow me to give students more individual support and create a more engaging experience. For larger schools, I’m happy to run multiple sessions throughout the day.
What if we have more than one year level?
Many schools book multiple sessions throughout the day. I can create a schedule that works best for your timetable and student numbers.
Can you sign books?
Absolutely! I’m always happy to sign and personalise books for students after the presentation. Schools can organise book sales or pre-orders before my visit. You can contact my publisher Hardie Grant Kids for more information about purchasing multiple copies.
Do students need to have read your books first?
Of course not! The sessions are designed so every student can enjoy them, whether it’s their first introduction to my books or they’ve already read them. I will always do a live reading at the start of my visit.
Do you travel outside Melbourne?
Yes. I visit schools across Victoria, depending on my schedule and family commitments. Travel fees may apply depending on your location.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes I do offer online sessions. I run these for schools who are interstate or where I can’t be there in person for various reasons. These sessions run for approximately 40 mins. All the resources for the practical element of my sessions, will be emailed to the organiser prior to the event.
What makes your visits different?
Every presentation includes a creative, hands-on art activity that connects directly to the story. Rather than simply listening to an author talk, I like students to be active and explore ideas through making, discussing and creating something meaningful to take home.
Can you speak about being an author and illustrator?
I’m the author of the books, and my sister, Claudia, is the illustrator. During my presentations I can share how we worked together to create the books, but generally, my presentations are about the themes in our books. If you would like Claudia to be a part of the presentation too and discuss her illustration process, just let me know! Claud would love to visit too.
Why do your workshops include art, if you’re the author?
Teaching Art is my day job. For me, art gives children another way to respond to stories. It encourages creativity, reflection and discussion, helping students connect more deeply with the themes of family, culture and belonging. Every artwork is unique because it reflects each child’s own experiences and ideas. But the bottom line is, it’s FUN!
Can your sessions support our Italian language program?
Absolutely. My Nonno Loves and My Nonna Loves are inspired by my Italian family and traditions. I enjoy sharing aspects of Italian culture while encouraging students to explore and celebrate their own cultural backgrounds. Let me know if you’d like an Italian language focussed presentation.
Your Year 11 & 12 workshop sounds interesting, but what do you understand about creative senior school education?
Over my 20 years as a teacher, I have taught year 11 and 12, Art making and Exhibiting and Visual Communication Design. I currently teach Year 12 VCD, so I spend a lot of time around kids who want to take creative paths!
