Yvonne Mes
Yvonne Mes is an author, illustrator, artist and presenter who writes stories for children and young people with curious minds.
As an early childhood professional with a Bachelor of Children’s Services with many years’ experience, she loves sharing books, stories and art with children in places big and small, of diverse cultures and abilities and of all ages.
She is passionate about sharing her love of story and creativity in person or online and willing to adapt the content to suit your needs.
Her books are published in Australia, China and New Zealand.
Yvonne is a frequent speaker at schools and literary festivals and events. She is the coordinator of Write Links, the Brisbane based group for children’s authors and illustrators.
Yvonne's latest book
The Opal Dinosaur illustrated by Sylvia Morris
The true story of the discovery of a new Australian dinosaur with very special bones.
Millions of years ago, a small dinosaur slips and scrambles, before sinking into the earth. Her bones lie under the soil, slowly transforming into something wonderful. Then, one day, a miner spies a shimmer of blue and green.
The Opal Dinosaur explores the amazing discovery of rare opalised bones. Follow the journey as the bones are found, forgotten and then finally identified as an exciting new dinosaur species.
Themes: Extinct animals, Australian Environment, Earth in prehistoric eras
Key learning outcomes: Understand what opal fossils are, how they are formed and how they are different to other fossils.
Learn about Fostoria, the Opal Dinosaur, and discover what makes it so special.
Identify some of the animals that existed in Australia during the Cretaceous period.
Yvonne’s books:
The Opal Dinosaur - illustrated by Sylvia Morris, CSIRO, August 2024
Little Bilby’s Aussie Bush Christmas - Illustrated by Jody Pratt, Hachette Australia, November 2021
Trouble in the Hen House - Written by Susan O’Meara, Yellow Brick Books, October 2021
Little Lambs’ New Zealand Easter Egg Hunt - llustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt, Hachette New Zealand, March 2021
Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt - Illustrated by Jody Pratt, Hachette Australia, March 2020
Oliver’s Grumbles - Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli, Yellow Brick Books, Nov 2017
Meet Sidney Nolan - Illustrated by Sandra Eterovic, Penguin Random House Australia, Picture Book, Non-Fiction, Oct 2015
Workshops
The length of the sessions and content can be adapted to suit students’ and curriculum needs.
Workshops for Children (in person or virtual):
The Opal Dinosaur
Suitable for all primary
Join Yvonne and see if you have what it takes to become a junior paleontologist!
Yvonne will read her non-fiction picture book, The Opal Dinosaur. She also brings some fossil treasures and real opals for the children to study.
The Opal Dinosaur is the true story of the discovery of a new Australian dinosaur with very special bones.
The Opal Dinosaur explores the amazing discovery of rare opalised bones. Follow the journey as the bones are found, forgotten and then finally identified as a new dinosaur species.
The session includes information on how dinosaurs are fossilised or opalised, what Australia looked like at the time the opal dinosaur lived and includes basic dinosaur classification
The Narrative Rollercoaster
Suitable for prep to year 6
This session takes children on a wild ride on the narrative roller coaster. In this sessions, two children are about to hop on a rollercoaster. But who are they? Why are they there? And how will they get themselves out of mortal danger?!?! During this interactive session, students will be in charge of the story! Not only does this session entertain, but it also includes all the elements of the narrative arc and will support children in writing their own stories.
Oliver’s Grumbles
Prep/ Lower Primary
You will find out what it is like to be a famous children’s author and illustrator and why you want to be one too! We will read Oliver’s Grumbles which has a focus on how to deal with bad moods and feelings/
The workshop includes:
- The glamourous life of a children’s author
- An overview of a basic picture book structure
- A reading of the story, Oliver’s Grumbles.
- Visualising your Grumpy feelings and what to do when you have them.
Illustrating Picture Books
Suitable for year 2 and up (1 hr minimum)
A look at the illustration process for picture books.
This session includes:
- From thumbnail to picture book dummy
- How text and illustration work together, or not!
- Creating memorable characters
- And how to never give up!
Testimonials
It was engaging and informative. It was interactive for the grade 1s. It really sparked their interest in story writing. It also fitted well with our health unit on emotions.
All Saints Primary School, Albany Creek - May, 2024Yvonne is a delight to have in a school environment. She is easy to work with and has a vibrant personality. It was Yvonne's second year in a row at our school. This year, we put Yvonne in our art room, where she taught our students Sidney Nolan's painting technique. Yvonne made the students feel like successful painters for their session. All the boys now have a painting to show for their time with Yvonne.
Toowoomba Grammar School - August, 2023Yvonne is an engaging presenter who shares the magic of writing and illustrating stories. The high level of audience participation allowed students to remain engaged throughout. Yvonne finishes with a great activity demonstrating how to draw grumbles which is a great lead in for students to draw their own grumbles after Yvonne's presentation.
All Saints Primary School - June 2022Yvonne ran a wonderful session for our Year 3 students. She listened carefully to our requirements for the session and incorporated our wishes and the language we use at our school into an engaging and informative session. With all the interruptions to the year, we weren’t as prepared as usual with how to write a narrative before NAPLAN was upon our Year 3’s for the first time. Yvonne’s session really assisted with this preparation. She was extremely well prepared and the session was great value for the cost involved.
Bald Hills State School - May 2022Yvonne was a bubbly, fun and engaging speaker at Whitsunday Voices this year. The kids enjoyed her talks and we enjoyed her enthusiasm and beautiful smile, she really lit up the room for us. I would definitely have her back and recommend her to anyone seeking an engaging and enthusiastic presenter.
Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival - July 2021
The Opal Dinosaur
Little Bilby' Aussie Bush Christmas
Little Lamb's Great New Zealand Easter Egg Hunt
Trouble in the Hen House
Little Bilby's Aussie Easter Egg Hunt
Short Story - Dancing Coins in 'Countdown - The Australian School Magazine'
Short Story - My Sister Ate my Science Project in 'Blast Off - the Australian School Magazine'
Oliver's Grumbles
Meet Sidney Nolan