Special event

Digger Digs Down: an author-illustrator discussion

Digger digs down. Digger digs deep, deep into the ground.
Join happy-go-lucky Digger as he ditches the boredom of backyard life for an underground adventure. What will he find? What won’t he find?

Fullers is delighted to be hosting a different style of children’s book event, delving into the writing and illustrating process of this creative new book for early learners, Digger Digs Down. Early childhood educators who previewed copies of Digger have raved about it as a potential text for use in classrooms. (They’ve cited curriculum units AC9EFLA07, AC9EFLE02 , AC9EFLE03, AC9MFM01, AC9SFU01 and more as teaching opportunities.)

This event is suitable for adults – parents, teachers, librarians, writers, artists – who want to learn more about the art of the children’s book, and how this book can teach and inspire new readers and their imaginations.

Johanna Bell is an award-winning children’s author, poet and Churchill Fellow. Since 2011, she has worked with deaf artist Dion Beasley creating picture books. Their second book won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year (2017) and their third book was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award (2020). Digger Digs Down is Johanna’s sixth picture book.

Huni Melissa Bolliger is an award-winning animator and artist. Her films have won awards in Australia and internationally, including a prestigious Special Jury Prize at Hiroshima Animation Festival. Huni loves illustrating stories in many different forms, and Digger Digs Down is Huni’s picture-book illustration debut.

This conversation will be moderated by internationally acclaimed illustrator and artist, Tony Flowers. His picture book, Grandma’s First Tattoo (Phillip Gwynne) was a Fuller’s favourite last year, and Scout and the Rescue Dogs (Dianne Wolfer) recently won Children’s Book of the Year at the 2024 WA Premier’s Book Awards.

Join Johanna, Huni and Tony at the Afterword Cafe. Tickets are $10, and include a glass of wine or soft drink.