Vikki Conley
Author | Preschool – Year 6 and VCE Yr 11-12
CBCA Book of the Year WINNER, Honour & Notable Books
Vikki Conley is a multi-award-winning author of 14 children’s books and is well known for creating lively literary experiences for young readers.
Her picture book Where The Lyrebird Lives won the 2023 CBCA Book of the Year, and Amira’s Suitcase and Little Puggle’s Song have received Honour and Notable awards. On The Way To School was shortlisted for the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year.
An intrepid traveller and nature lover, Vikki has visited nearly 30 countries exploring the world’s big adventures and tiny treasures as a journalist and photographer, working with diverse communities in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Her stories connect budding minds to the lives of people and creatures around the globe, inviting children to discover the magic in both the extraordinary and the everyday.
Vikki’s school sessions:
- are immersive, fun, inspiring and motivational
- spark imagination while encouraging students to write from the heart
- transform own experiences into stories in minutes
- turn senses into writing superpowers
- teach children that the greatest stories start with curiosity and a sense of wonder.
 |
 |
Session 1: Playful Story Time - art and craft experiences
Foundation to Grade 2, Preschools, Bush-Kinders, Festivals
- Interactive and immersive story time.
- Puppets, movement, drama, body percussion and sounds.
- Fun quizzes and learning experiences.
- Craft and art inspired by nature.
Session 2: Ideas Machine Workshop - inspiring idea generation and innovative thinking
Grades 3-6
- Re-usable skills for sparking ideas.
- Try Vikki’s one-of-a-kind Creative Cube.
- Mix memories, drama, “show don’t tell” tricks.
- Supercharge writing with editing tips.
- Be inspired by Vikki’s adventures around the world.
Session 3: Popcorn Writing & Pebble Poetry - inspiring passionate writers
Grades 3-6
- Pop kernels of ideas down in seconds.
- Fun brainstorming games.
- Drama to learn writing tricks.
- Write from the heart and senses.
Session 4: Walk on the Wild Side - inspiring creative writing and thinkers
Grades 3-6
- Dive deep into character creation.
- Use Vikki’s unique Creative Cube to invent wild characters.
- Prompts for character-driven plots.
- Draw wild and original characters.
- Bring characters to life in mock interviews and a VIP red carpet walk!
Session 5: Passport to Other Worlds - inspiring, eye-opening and empathy building
Grades 3-6
- Step into stories of diversity, refugees and lives in other places.
- Behind the scenes of Vikki’s books: Amira’s Suitcase, Under The Red Shawl, The Story House.
- Be inspired by Vikki’s adventures across nearly 30 countries.
- Interview Vikki about her life as an author, photographer and journalist.
Session 6: Creative Careers Without Limits!
VCE: Grades 11-12
- Creativity isn't just art - see how it powers science, storytelling and problem-solving.
- Hear about with with World Vision and Vikki's intrepid travels to 30 countries!
- Children's author to actor? Really?
- Science writer too: How does science communication = real-world impact.
- See how skills cross industries - photography, marketing, graphic design.
- Turning passions into career pathways.
Testimonials
Vikki is engaging and inspirational. She filled the children with enthusiasm and wonder, helping them to think in new ways. She connected her own childhood with her writing, inspiring the children to use their personal experiences in creative ways.
Eltham North Primary SchoolVikki’s warm and passionate love of books is infectious for students of all ages! She engaged and energised our students leaving the lower grades enthused about reading and writing, while the upper-level students were inspired with practical tips to help make their writing more interesting.
Montmorency Primary School
The Story House
Little Puggle's Dance
Where the River Runs Free
Christmas Wonder Down Under
Under the Red Shawl
Little Puggle's Christmas
On the Way to School
Milly & The Mulberry Tree
Where the Lyrebird Lives
Amira's Suitcase
Tomorrow Girl
The Lost Moustache
Little Puggle's Song
Ella and Mrs Gooseberry
Victoria
Speaker type
- Author
- Storyteller / Performer
- Journalist / Feature writer
- Motivational
Audience
- Prep - Year 2
- Year 3-6
- Year 10-12