Michelle Worthington – November 12 2017

World Prematurity Day – November 17 2017

Michelle is an award-winning, internationally published author of empowering picture books for kids of all ages. She aims to help children celebrate their differences and embrace a love of reading from an early age, and is dedicated to becoming an ambassador of children’s literacy. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, a Diploma of Professional Children’s Writing from the Australian College of Journalism and a Certificate in Short Story Writing from Thomson Education Direct. Her other books include Start of the Ocean, Hootie the Cutie, The Bedtime Band, Possum Games and The Pink Pirate series. She has won poetry competitions with ‘The Floods’, ‘Charlotte Sturt’ and ‘Aussie Pub ABC’ and earned a commendation for her play Virginia Woolf. Michelle was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and has lived there all her life. She was named Moreton Bay Queenslander of the Year (2014) for her Contribution to the Arts.

My Brother Tom – Illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn
Dragon Tales Publishing, 2015; ISBN 9780994428011
9-12 years
When baby Tom arrives earlier than expected, he has the doctors worried and has to stay in hospital until he gets better and bigger. It’s a scary time for Tom’s family, but his big brother isn’t worried. He sees angels outside his window and knows everything will be okay. Based on Michelle’s own son who, born at 28 weeks weighing 1350g, had to stay in hospital for 58 days, this story aims to help older siblings of premature babies make sense of what is happening at a difficult time. Royalties from sales go to Life’s Little Treasures Foundation in the name of Tom Worthington Walker.

Noah Chases the Wind – Illustrated by Joseph Cowman
Redleaf Lane, 2015; ISBN 9781605543567
3-8 years
Noah is different. He loves science, especially the weather, and can sees things like the patterns in the dust floating in sunbeams. He hears, feels, and thinks in ways other people don’t always understand. He asks a lot of questions and books usually provide the answers until one day, there’s one question they don’t – and that’s where Noah’s windy adventure begins. Filled with rich, sweeping illustrations, this picture book celebrates the inquisitive nature of all children, including those on the autism spectrum, who cannot stop asking a question until an answer has been unearthed. The book contains a page of information for parents, caregivers, and educators about the importance of helping children feel good about their differences and know that being different is okay.