Frances Watts is the pen-name of Ali Lavau, a Swiss born Australian author, who moved to Sydney, Australia when she was three years old. She has studied English literature at Macquarie University, going on to teach Australian Literature and children's literature. After graduating with a PhD, she obtained her first job in publishing.
Frances Watts was happily working as a children’s book editor until the lightbulb moment that resulted in her first book: Kisses for Daddy. Illustrated by David Legge, it was named an Honour Book in the Early Childhood category of the 2006 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and has been published in over twenty countries. Her second picture book, Parsley Rabbit’s Book about Books, was also illustrated by David Legge, was a 2008 CBCA Book of the Year. This successful team have since published Captain Crabclaw’s Crew and The Fearsome, Frightening, Ferocious Box. Her other picture books include A Rat in a Stripy Sock (illustrated by David Francis; a CBCA Notable Book and KOALA Honour Book) and Goodnight, Mice! (illustrated by Judy Watson), winner of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Children’s Fiction.
David Legge has been a professional illustrator since 1986. He has produced over seventy book jackets, illustrations for packaging and advertising and is a regular illustrator for The School Magazine.
After emigrating to Australia from England in 1989 David developed a love of children's picture books which is now his favorite field of illustration. David strives to instill warmth and humour into his picture books which he reflects, are the two things that fill his own childhood memories. Since 1994 he has visited schools, libraries and literary festivals all over Australia.
With a background of teaching illustration and design as a TAFE tutor, and a regular speaker at the Art Gallery of NSW, he feels confident to talk to any age group from Kindergarten to adult. His sessions hope to take away the mystery of illustration, include lots of preparatory work, finished illustrations and hands on drawing.
