Alison ROSS

Alison Lester, born in Victoria, Australia, is a prolific author and illustrator with over 25 children's picture books and two young adult novels to her name. Her early life on a farm overlooking the sea and her education as an arts and crafts teacher have informed her creative output. Lester's work frequently combines fantastical elements with everyday experiences, aiming to inspire children to embrace their individuality and self-belief. Her books have achieved international publication and garnered numerous accolades, including the Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book for "Are We There Yet?: A Journey Around Australia" in 2005. She has also been recognized as an Inaugural Australian Children's Laureate and received the Melbourne Prize for Literature. Lester continues to engage with young audiences through school visits and maintains a gallery and bookshop in South Gippsland, Victoria.

Born on November 17, 1952, in Foster, Victoria, Alison Lester spent her formative years on a farm with a view of the ocean. Her education included attending St Margaret's School as a boarder, followed by a higher diploma in teaching from Melbourne Teachers' College, where she specialized in secondary arts and crafts. This background in art and her upbringing in a natural setting likely contributed to the visual and thematic elements present in her later literary works.

Lester's career began with a period of teaching, followed by family life and a dedicated focus on writing and illustrating. She worked as an illustrator for five years before publishing her first book in 1986. Her picture books are characterized by a blend of imaginative worlds and relatable, everyday life scenarios, designed to foster self-confidence and an appreciation for diversity in children. Her novels, "The Quicksand Pony" and "The Snow Pony," have also achieved success. Lester resides and works in South Gippsland, Victoria, where she also operates a gallery and bookshop. She actively participates in the literary community by visiting primary schools as a guest speaker.

Beyond her writing, Lester has undertaken various artistic and exploratory projects. In 2005, she traveled to Antarctica as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow for the Kids Antarctic Art project, later exhibiting her work. She also participated in workshops and exhibitions in Japan related to her book "Are We There Yet?" and served as a photographer on Antarctic voyages and an Arctic expedition. These experiences, involving diverse environments and cultures, have broadened her artistic horizons and provided unique perspectives that may inform her creative output.