Directory of free online creative writing and illustration resources and activities

Our wonderful Chairwoman, Sophie Masson, has compiled this list of resources and activities for anyone to use! You can see the full list on here website HERE.

Children’s and YA activities (some suitable for adults too)

Mixed activities and resources:

Author Tristan Bancks’ Top Ten Online Resources for Homeschoolers, linking people to videos, teaching materials, author talks, activities, etc, centred around his books.
Author Matt Zurbo’s Cielo365 project, 365 children’s stories in 365 days, provided free, for people to illustrate and have fun with.

Writing activities:

Free online creative writing exercises by Sophie Masson, in collaboration with illustrator Kathy Creamer.
Shannon Jade at Wildflower Books is offering a free downloadable picture-book writing template for children and adults to enjoy.
Author Lian Tanner offers free story prompts and activities to spark the imagination. https://liantanner.com.au/free-stuff/
Hazel Edwards’ Lockdown fun writing activities for students at home.
Ursula Dubosarsky, Australian Children’s Laureate, shares writing tips and writing projects for children here. Illustration/art activities:
Sandy Flett’s Kids’ Art School, on You Tube
Illustrator Lou Endicott’s fun activity on Facebook, Draw A Portrait, suitable for children and adults
Watch Ruth Waters’ You Tube videos showing how she creates her collages for picture books.
Author-illustrator Gabrielle Wang’s ‘Sparks’ site where you can upload your own pictures sparked off by one of hers.

Audio presentations:

Listen to the full digital audio book of Sophie Masson’s picture book with David Allan, Two Trickster Tales from Russia (Christmas Press 2013).
Read or listen to some of  Sophie Masson’s stories on Read Me A Story, Ink (Sophie’s stories available via this link on her blog)

A brand new video from our Chairwoman, Sophie Masson, on how some of her picture books were created!

Video presentations:

Writing and publishing for children and young adults in Australia, (for children and adults) by Sophie Masson, on her You Tube channel, which also has book trailers, etc.
Deborah Abela’s video talks and book trailers.
Simon Higgins’ book/author videos and links to animations he’s worked on.
Author and photographer Jan Latta’s educational videos about endangered wildlife are available free on her website here.
Louise Park is reading a chapter a day of her latest book, Grace’s Secret ,on her Youtube channel here.
Oliver Phommavanh and Kristin Darell (and other great authors, along with James Foley, illustrating), are conducting writing workshops on the Little scribe facebook here.
Debra Tidball reads The Scared Book with a puppet friend  – the perfect book to help kids recognise and manage their own fears in these worrying times, and a great starting point for discussion. Find it here.
Anne Donnelly’s short videos about sea creatures and environmental issues that go along with her Ori The Octopus picture book series, perfect for preschoolers, on her website here.