Endurance: A & U Children

Claire Saxby has lived in many places through Australia and beyond. That meant many houses and schools, but also introduced her to many people, landscapes and ways of being. She writes about nature, about history and more. Claire's work has won several awards including CBCA Picture Book of the Year for Iceberg and an Environment Award for Children's Literature for Tree (both illustrated by Jess Racklyeft), CBCA Honour Book, a NSW Premier's Literary Award, a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, an Educational Publishing Award and the Whitley Award multiple times. Claire was the recipient of the the 2026 Albert Ullin Award, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature. She is widely curious about just about everything and passionate about encouraging curiosity and wonder. www.clairesaxby.com

Jess Racklyeft creates a variety of illustrated things - picture books, paintings, prints, pins and cards - mainly in watercolours. She works from her Melbourne studio along Merri Creek. Her work often combines collage - either on paper or digitally assembled - and lots of ink, and for every book she tries to use a new technique or process to continue to challenge and grow, book by book. Jess worked in publishing sales for almost a decade before making the leap to full-time illustration work, and since then has won several illustration accolades including CBCA Picture Book of the Year for Iceberg and an Environment Award for Children's Literature for Tree (both written by Claire Saxby). Her work can now be found in bookshops and libraries across Australia, and her days are happily spent in a messy studio. www.jessracklyeft.com