All the Firsts

Toni D’Alia is an Australian author of children’s books. Her debut picture book, Bees Are Our Friends (illustrated by Alice Lindstrom), was published by Bright Light / Hardie Grant in 2022. In 2023, Toni published her second picture book, The Easter Bunny Hop, as well as a new title in her 'Our Friends in the Garden' series, Worms Are Our Friends (both illustrated by Mimi Purnell).  Toni writes picture books and junior fiction novels with heart and humour. Her stories explore important themes in ways that are fun and engaging. She has a background in education and loves to connect with readers and writers through writing workshops and author visits. Sian Wheatcroft is a self-taught illustrator from South Yorkshire, England. She has always loved drawing from a very young age, and, after exploring various art forms such as ceramics and photography, she finally discovered illustration and fell in love with it! Her work is characterised by layered textures that give a traditional feel to her digital art. She enjoys utilising light to infuse her illustrations with life and enjoys working with animation. Sian’s picture book, This Bear That Bear, published by Templar Books in 2017, was well-received, and she eagerly anticipates bringing more of her own stories to life, as well as those of others.