Entertainment
9 August, 2026
Reef-inspired book studies
AWARD-winning Australian children’s author Andrea Rowe will visit Cairns in September to research a new marine-themed picture book series inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, while encouraging local children to discover a love of reading and environmental care.
The best-selling author has been awarded both the Writers on the Reef fellowship on Magnetic Island and the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund, allowing her to spend time in Cairns and Townsville researching marine life and working with local experts on the new series.
Ms Rowe said the Great Barrier Reef had long inspired her, but she wanted to better understand the region before bringing its stories to young readers.
“I’ve spent a lot of time sailing and snorkelling up around that area and I’ve always been so in awe of people who are invested in taking care of the marine life,” she said.
“I wanted to see if I could use my own writing skills to tell a few different stories around the Great Barrier Reef and around Cairns.”
She said the fellowship would provide opportunities that extended well beyond research.
“These sorts of fellowships and grants are life-changing for any author because they make it financially viable for us to get to areas that usually we have to take out of our own personal budget,” she said.
“It opens us up. It gives us access to experts and specialists.”
While in Far North Queensland, Ms Rowe will work with marine biologists, coral restoration practitioners, traditional sea rangers and cultural guides to ensure her books are grounded in scientific knowledge while remaining engaging for children.
“I’m writing a mix of non-fiction and fiction when I’m there,” she said.
“Scientific insights coming directly from marine biologists and coral restoration practitioners, and even traditional sea rangers and cultural guides, are the only way I’m going to fully grasp and interpret the messages that I want to share.”
She will host a storytime session at Smithfield Library at 10am on Saturday 19 September and appear in a Meet the Author Q&A hosted by Lachlann Carter at Folly café from 5pm to 6pm on Tuesday 15 September.
