Gregg Dreise
Gregg Dreise is the author and illustrator of Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra and Mad Magpie. These stories are about teaching morals. Silly Birds is based on the saying, “It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys”. Kookoo Kookaburra is based on the saying, “Kindness is like a boomerang - if you throw it often, it comes back often. If you never take the chance to throw it, it never comes back”. Mad Magpie is based on the words of wisdom, “Stay calm like the surface of the water, yet strong like its current. And know that there is a song out there for you.”
A descendant of the Kamilaroi tribe, from south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. He was born and raised in St George, Queensland and moved to Noosa during high school. He is the youngest of eight in a family that loved sport, music and poetry (one of those families where everyone sings, and passes guitars around at get-togethers). Gregg’s mother (Lyla Dreise-Knox) has always inspired him to write. Her poetry has entertained the family (as well as the odd magazine and newspaper readers) for many decades.
Gregg is currently a teacher in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He has completed writing four more picture books waiting their turn for publishing; and is also working on a chapter book for upper primary. For Gregg, the most exciting part of writing, is going to schools and libraries with his didgeridoo and guitar, with the aim to educate an audience filled with smiles. He was very excited to take his books to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy this year. His book Silly Birds was on the 2015 Premier’s Reading Challenge year 1 to 3 booklist and was shortlisted and then won the 2015 Speech Pathology Australia - Book of the Year award.
Gregg has been an artist most of his life, following in the footsteps of many family members. His paintings have been sold all over the world. His recent international art award was for the last painting in the book Silly Birds.
Testimonials
Absolutely sensational. He was such a great presenter. He was inspiring to students with his actions, songs, books and games. He had fantastic behaviour management skills at managing a large group. He had the right balance between humour/jokes and seriousness to maintain the focus of our Year 2 students. I absolutely want to book him again next year.
St. Peter's CPS, Caboolture - June, 2025Gregg was engaging with all students from K to Yr 6. Gregg used his didgeridoo and guitar to tell a story in a way that had the students mesmerised.
Gregg shared his culture and pride in his family and stories and the students were very receptive.
Yr 5/6 students enjoyed the illustrators workshop. Gregg has the ability to excite and hype the students but also then to bring them back to listening, a rare skill.
Gregg was happy to speak with students and staff after the sessions.
All staff and students offered positive feedback from Gregg's visit.
St. Nicholas PS, Tamworth - June, 2025To say the Gregg Dreise visit to our school was a success is a huge understatement! Gregg entranced students and teachers alike with his artful storytelling, his wealth of knowledge and his humour. Gregg shared Aboriginal language, dance and music with our students and even had an impromptu didge lesson with our didge group. The school was buzzing yesterday about how awesome it was to hear from Gregg! Thank you Gregg for being so generous with your time and sharing with us!
Maryland Public School, NSW - May, 2025What a lovely man! We could have easily had 2 hour sessions with him … the time just ran out so quickly. He has a wealth of knowledge, stories to tell and songs to sing and is so generous with his time it was an absolute pleasure to have him here with us at Shoal Bay. The staff and students were completely engaged in both of his presentations. He also took the time to read the National Simultaneous Storytime book to the whole school and boy what a reading it was so animated and exciting, that I am worried about how we can top it next year. Thanks so much for organising his visit for us.
Shoal Bay Public School, NSW - May, 2025Gregg was very engaging in all sessions from K-6. Comments from teachers have included the fact that he has been the best author I have booked for our school and that we should book him again in the future if we are given the chance to do so. The kids absolutely loved hearing about Gregg's stories and how he came to be an author and illustrator. He presented everything in an engaging way and hooked the students from the beginning and had them until the end. When reflecting on the visit with our year 5 and 6 students, they told me that Gregg's second job should be a comedian, as they found him very funny!
Greta Public School, NSW - May, 2025
Super Snake
Where's My Baby?
Hello and Welcome
My Culture and Me
Common Wealth
A Boat of Stars
Today's Sun
Cunning Crow
I Open the Door
Kookoo Kookaburra
Mad Magpie
Silly Birds
Queensland
Speaker type
- Author
- Illustrator / Designer
- Poet
- Storyteller / Performer