Zanni Louise

Zanni Louise

New South Wales

Speaker type

  • Author
  • Storyteller / Performer
  • Virtual visits
available for virtual visits

Zanni Louise has been writing stories since she was little, growing up in country NSW. She now lives with her family of four (and two bunnies) in the Byron Bay hinterland. 

Internationally published author of over thirty-five kids’ books, Zanni writes picture books, chapter books and books for 10-12 year-olds. Her first middle grade, Queenie In Seven Moves was published by Walker Books 2023/Candlewick 2024. Her new middle grade, Cora Seen and Heard is released May 2024. Zanni writes teen fiction under her alias, Zanni L. Arnot.

Her books have been long-listed for the CBCA Awards and short-listed for the Australian Book Design Awards, Educational Publishing, Taco Awards, and Speech Pathology Award. Persistence (Five Mile) was highly commended in the Australian Education Publishing Awards and Human-Kind was voted best picture book series by Bookstagang (2020). Archie and the Bear (Little Hare) was chosen for the International White Ravens catalogue in 2018. Zanni’s books are published in over twenty foreign territories. 

Zanni loves to visit your school or festival to inspire writers and readers. You can watch her show reel here.

 

She also runs a picture book course online with Anna Pignataro and offers other classes for budding authors throughout the year as well as providing private mentoring. Explore her courses here. If you’d rather an in-person experience, Zanni runs bespoke retreats throughout the year.

Zanni’s literary works are represented by LK Literary Agency and her speaking and workshops can be booked through Speakers Ink. She is proud to be an author ambassador for Room To Read, an organisation helping to educate girls and improve literacy and gender equality.

 

Zanni Louise Courage

humankind

 

Presentations and workshops

 

Learning To Fly (Stage 1 & 2)

Have you ever wanted to fly? In this 45 min presentation, Zanni takes kids through the magic of storytelling and shows that with persistence, courage and imagination, we can learn to fly like Pigasus, cartwheel down hills, play for the Matildas and write books … whatever it is that we dream.

Home is Where the Heart is (Stage 3)

In 2020, Zanni Louise's family had to leave their rental, stay with friends and move seven times over a summer. The seed was planted for Zanni's first novel. Zanni takes readers on a journey through making a book and learning to write from the heart, as well as exploring themes such as coping with change and resilience. Kids will also learn how to write their own song.

Emotional Literacy

Author of bestselling series, Human-Kind, and much loved picture book I Feel The World, Zanni Louise guides kids in a productive and safe discussion that enhances emotional resilience.

Suitable online or in person for primary aged students.

Possible option to book Zanni together with Dr Ameika Johnson, co-writer and clinical child psychologist.

Write with Feeling Workshop (High School)

Step inside your character's shoes and bring their story to life. 

You will explore how to bring emotion into your work and make a story that connects with others.

Story Magic Workshop (Primary)

Starting with character, building plot and delving into useful writing tips, you'll leave this workshop with a story you'll be excited to share with the world.

Writing from Life Workshop (Primary & Secondary)

Zanni Louise used real experiences to write her first novel QUEENIE IN SEVEN MOVES. Learn how to tap into your life experience to write a story that connects with others.

Visual Literacy through Picture Books (Primary & Secondary)

Zanni Louise takes you through the magical journey of expressing story and emotion using award-winning Australian picture books. You will write and illustrate your own picture books.

 

Testimonials

  • It's always a pleasure welcoming Zanni to our school. Her presentations are innovative, engaging, informative and fun. Our students thoroughly enjoyed meeting her.

    Oakleigh State School - October, 2023

    Oakleigh State School - October, 2023
    Zanni Louise
  • Zanni presented three sessions, one for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. Each presentation was engaging for the students . Zanni used props and expressively read her stories. Where possible Zanni had students on stage with her doing different activities or improvisations.

    Pymble Ladies College - August, 2023

    Pymble Ladies College - August, 2023
    Zanni Louise
  • Zanni was so friendly and engaging. She told her story beautifully, with interesting resources to accompany her presentation. Zanni was genuinely interested in our students and connected with them in a very natural way. She promptly answered any emails regarding arrangements and the program for her visit and was happy to fit in with the school day. Some students reached out to Zanni via her website after her visit and she was very kind, considerate and timely in her reply. It was lovely to have her in our school.

    Danebank Anglican School, NSW - August, 2023

    Danebank Anglican School, NSW - August, 2023
    Zanni Louise
  • Zanni did a great job to engage our whole K-6 school of 200 students for her hour-long presentation.

    St. Mary's Primary School, Grafton - August, 2023

    St. Mary's Primary School, Grafton - August, 2023
    Zanni Louise
  • Just wanted to say thank you to Zanni for the wonderful author's presentation she gave to our Prep and Year one students.

    Our students were captivated and delighted with her fun activities - penguin dancing, story brainstorming and imaginative role playing with her book "Oh Errol." She has a unique, creative way of entertaining and educating students.


    Oakleigh State School Library - October 2022

    Oakleigh State School Library - October 2022
    Zanni Louise
4030
Zanni Louise