Author and Illustrator
Dannika Patterson and Megan Forward are professional KidLit creators who are both passionate about fostering a connection to nature and love of literature in young children, which is why they make such a great author-illustrator team.
They’ve worked together on two Australian picture books so far (yes, a third collaboration is currently in the works!) – Jacaranda Magic and Scribbly Gum Secrets, both published by Ford Street Publishing.
As well as their two picture book titles, Megan and Dannika have also worked together to created a range of interactive STEAM workshops for primary school aged chidlren, using their combined experience and picture books as creative provocations.
Megan Forward is a twice CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) shortlisted picture book illustrator and author with a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching specialising in Visual Art and English. Her other titles include A Patch from Scratch and All I Want for Christmas is Rain.
Dannika Patterson is a children’s author, presenter and freelance writer with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. She is the author of 15 books for children. Her other titles include Hedgehog the Wonder Dog, Heavy and I Can’t Wait to Play!
Student sessions
Working with Jacaranda Magic by Dannika Patterson & Megan Forward as a focus text, participants will learn about the making of a picture book from both author & illustrator perspectives, exercise their imaginations and celebrate nature through story & art.
This highly engaging workshop encourages children’s creativity, love of story, art-appreciation & real-world connection to nature & her seasons.
Using working examples from the making of the picture book Jacaranda Magic, participants will be invited to imagine, hypothesize, problem-solve & get creative.
They’ll be shown examples of how flexible thinking and open-ended play can lead to great ideas through an engaging mix of story, science & art.
Curriculum-links built into this workshop include; narrative writing, poetry, science inquiry skills, seasons & weather, eco-systems, growth of trees & observational art.