The Magic Violin

Victor Kelleher was born in London and came to Australia in 1976 via Africa and New Zealand. After an academic career he now writes both children’s and adults’ novels full- time. His novels for Random House include JOHNNY WOMBAT, TO THE DARK TOWER, DEL- DEL and BEYOND THE DUSK. Victor has been shortlisted for many awards including the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award and the Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award. He remains one of Australia’s most celebrated authors. With a host of award-winning, internationally published novels to his credit, Victor Kelleher remains one of Australia’s most celebrated writers for both adults and children. Born in London, he lived in Africa for twenty years, before moving to New Zealand where he began to write, prompted by homesickness for Africa. He moved to Australia in 1976. Victor’s first book for young people was Forbidden Paths of Thual and since then his novels have received many awards and commendations. His prizes have included the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award and the Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award. Some of Victor’s earlier titles are Parkland (shortlisted for the 1995 Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award Older Readers) and its sequels, Earthsong and Fire Dancer (also shortlisted for the 1997 Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award Older Readers). Formerly an associate professor, Victor Kelleher now works full time as a writer from his home in northern NSW. His latest books include Dog Boy for young adults, and Born of the Sea for adults. Victor’s other Aussie Nibbles are What Dino Saw and The Gorilla Suit, both illustrated by Stephen Michael King.

Stephen Michael King’s hugely successful first picture book THE MAN WHO LOVED BOXES, won the Family Award for Children’s Books in 1996, and was shortlisted in the Crichton Award for Children’s Book Illustration. Stephen’s BEETLE SOUP has also been shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Stephen works mainly with watercolours and ink. He’s also partially deaf and very handsome.