Vikki Conley’s multi-award-winning books whisk young readers away to other worlds through curiosity, playfulness and wonder. In 2023, Where The Lyrebird Lives won the CBCA Book of the Year, and Amira’s Suitcase and Little Puggle’s Song have earned Honour and Notable awards. On The Way To School was shortlisted for the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year.

An intrepid traveller and nature lover, Vikki has explored the world’s big adventures and tiny treasures as a writer and photographer, working with diverse communities in Africa, Asia and Australia for over 20 years.

Her stories connect budding minds to the experiences of people and creatures around the globe, inviting them to discover the magic in both the extraordinary and the ordinary. When she’s not writing, Vikki loves cartwheeling through the wilderness, searching for platypus or splashing in rivers near her home in Eltham, Australia.

Helene Magisson is a French-Australian artist who originally trained in medieval illumination and art restoration. Since turning her skills to children’s illustration she has illustrated dozens of books, several of which have been awarded recognition.

The Secret Boat is Hélène’s first book with Dirt Lane Press.