Sick Bag Sketch Inspires Award-Winning Book

Alison Lester, a celebrated Australian children's author, finds inspiration in nature for her widely acclaimed books. Her creative process often involves observing the natural world and translating those experiences into her studio. A remarkable instance of this involved sketching an idea for the book 'Kissed by the Moon' on an airplane sick bag during a flight from Perth, a piece now archived.

Lester's 1990 classic, 'Magic Beach,' captures the essence of summer on the Australian coast, a place she frequented since childhood. This book, which has sold over 500,000 copies and was adapted into a film in 2024, is one of four of her works nominated for a Guardian Australia best children's picture book poll. Her books often feature animals, including her own ponies and pets, and are celebrated for their distinctive, softly grainy pencil illustrations.

Her latest project, the final installment in the Clive Eats Alligators series, involves children helping endangered animals worldwide, a testament to her ongoing commitment to nature and conservation. This new book, which has been in development for at least 10 years, showcases her continued dedication to creating meaningful and educational stories for young readers.