External links
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James Foley | |
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| Born | 1982 (age 42–43) |
| Education | University of Notre Dame Australia (Bachelor of Behavioural Science) |
| Occupation(s) | Children's author and illustrator |
| Spouse | Renae Hayward |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | www |
James Foley (born 1982) is a Australian children's writer and illustrator. [1]
His notable works include Stellarphant (2021), My Dead Bunny (2015), the Secret Agent Mole series (2023–2024), Chickensaurus (2020), Brobot (2016), In The Lion (2012) and The Last Viking (2011). Foley's picture books, graphic novels and chapter books are known for "their humour, understanding of children and witty illustrations". [2] His work has received recognition both in Australia and internationally.
Foley was born in East Fremantle, Australia in 1982. [3] [4] The earliest children's books he remembers reading are Sunshine and Moonlight by Jan Ormerod; as they were wordless, he could 'read' the stories to himself. [4] Animalia and The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base were later favourites. [4] As a teenager, Foley attended workshops run by Shaun Tan at The Literature Centre; seeing Tan's original art provided much inspiration. [4]
In 1994 when Foley was in grade 7, he entered a picture book into the Children's Book Council of Australia (WA Branch) Make Your Own Story Book competition; he received third place in the year 6-7 picture book category. [5] Foley later made cartoons and comics for his high school newspaper, then for his university newspapers: the Western Independent at Curtin University, and Quasimodo at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle. [6] Foley spent three years at Curtin University: he studied journalism and graphic design for one year before switching to primary teaching, but did not finish the degree. [7] He ultimately completed a Bachelor of Behavioural Science at Notre Dame, Fremantle, graduating 'with distinction' in 2006. [7]
Foley's first major illustration job was creating cover cartoons for the Quokka newspaper between 2003 and 2010. [8]
Foley's first picture book, The Last Viking, was written by Norman Jorgensen and published by Fremantle Press in 2011. [9] The book won the 2012 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award for Australia and New Zealand. [10] It was also shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood. [11]
Foley's second picture book In The Lion was also his first as both author and illustrator. [12] In The Lion received a Notable Book in the 2013 CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book category, and was included as one of the recommended Australian titles in the International Youth Library's 2012 White Ravens list. [13]
My Dead Bunny was released in 2015. Written by Sigi Cohen, this tongue-in-cheek picture book for older readers was shortlisted in the 2016 CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book category, [14] and received recognition in several Australian children's choice awards. [15]
Foley's 2021 picture book Stellarphant [16] was critically acclaimed [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [2] and received multiple awards: it won the 2022 CBCA Sun Project: Shadowers’ Choice Award for Picture Book of the Year, [23] received an Honour Book award in the 2022 CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book category, [24] was listed in the International Youth Library’s 2022 White Ravens List, [25] and was number 36 in the 2022 Better Reading Top 50 Kids' Books. [26] Stellarphant was also shortlisted in the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards, [27] the Aurealis Awards [28] and several Australian children's choice awards. [29] Stellarphant has been published in North America, [[Turkey], the Netherlands, South Korea and China, [30] and is currently being adapted for the stage by Western Australia's Barking Gecko Theatre Company. [31]
Foley has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Australia West regional team since 2012, holding roles including Illustrator Coordinator, Regional Advisor and Treasurer. [32] [33]
Foley is a judge for the Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists. [34]
Foley is an ambassador for Books in Homes Australia [35] and Room to Read. [36]
Foley lives and works in Fremantle, Western Australia. [6] [37] He is married to fellow children's author Renae Hayward. They have two children and a labrador named Frankie. [6]
Happy Barry Capybara
Secret Agent Mole book 3: Dr Nude
Secret Agent Mole book 2: The Boar Identity
Secret Agent Mole book 1: Goldfish-Finger
Stellarphant
Chickensaurus
Toffle Towers, Book 1
Dungzilla
Brobot
My Dead Bunny
The Last Viking Returns
In The Lion
The Last Viking
Picture books
Graphic novels
Comic serials
Chapter books
Anthologies
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