STEPHEN
MICHAEL KING
Sydney-born Stephen Michael King can remember
drawing all of his life. Growing up in suburban Sydney in
an environment where his imagination and creativity were
nurtured, he wrote stories, dreamed of illustrating a book
and of one day working with Walt Disney Studios.
When he was
nine, Stephen went partially deaf but his hearing loss was unnoticed
for a number of years. During this time he began to immerse himself
in art where he could communicate without words. Due to his deafness
he found school a traumatic experience which failed to prepare
him for the future. However, he was eventually employed as a
children's library assistant and this job made use of his natural
affinity with children and helped pave the way to future opportunities.
In 1990 he was employed by the Walt Disney Studios in Surry Hills
and he has subsequently worked as a book designer and illustrator
for Scholastic Australia.
   
Watercolours,
black ink, oil painting and sculpture are Stephen's favourite
media. His work and relaxation revolve around drawing and he
has now produced a number of successful books. His first picture
book, The Man Who Loved Boxes, won the Family Therapy
Association Award and was shortlisted for the Crichton Award
in 1996. It has since been published around the world and translated
into a number of languages. In 1997 Stephen collaborated with
Robin Morrow over Beetle Soup - Australian Stories and
Poems for Children, which was shortlisted for the 1997 CBCA Book
of the Year for Younger Readers. Patricia was released in 1998
and in 1999 both The Little Blue Parcel and Henry and
Amy were shortlisted by the CBC for the Picture Book of the
Year Award.
Some of Stephen's
most recent books are The Pocket Dogs and Pocket Dogs Go on Holiday(with
Margaret Wild), Emily Loves to Bounce, Millie, Jack
and the Dancing Cat and Mutt Dog! and Never Ever Before. Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle (text Glenda Millard) and Leaf were both shortlisted for the 2009 CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year Award.
Please note that due to his ongoing working commitments, Stephen Michael King is only rarely available for school visits.
More information
is available at www.stephenmichaelking.com.
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