Children's author and illustrator, Christina Booth, is known for illustrating for well known and loved Australian authors and more so for her own picture books written and illustrated to encourage a love of reading, questioning minds and hope for children
of all ages.
Christina was born in Launceston, Tasmania. Her parents encouraged reading and her early passion for art and all things creative. Her love for drawing and creating was encouraged with supplies of paper and pencils, screwdrivers, and
discarded technology to pull apart and reconstruct. This early introduction to reading and creating meant that Christina was able to read when she began kindergarten and her talents at art were noticed very quickly and were fostered by her teachers.
In
1991 Christina decided now was the time to pursue her dream to illustrate books and set herself the challenge to create some illustrations to present to publishers.
The family moved to Wagga Wagga, NSW in early 2000 and it was here that Christina met
the editor of Triple D Books who was publishing poetry reciters for schools. After working with a toddler on her lap, sitting on the floor at a small coffee table to illustrate her first book, See What I've Got (Bill Scott, Triple
D Books, 2001) was a success and a second book of poetry written by Bill Scott's neighbour was underway. He stated that Christina must be the illustrator.
The neighbour happened to be the incredibly talented Colin Thiele and Christina could not believe
one of her favourite Australian authors had requested her to illustrate what was to become his last original work published before his death. Sun Warm Memories (Colin Thiele, Triple D Books) was published in 2003.
Moving back
to Tasmania, Christina continued to illustrate poetry books for Triple D Books, with a book for Max Fatchen and a book for Christobel Mattingly soon after (Poetry Allsorts, Max Fatchen,2003, and Nest Egg,
Christobel Mattingly, 2005, Triple D Books). Both Max and Christobel, along with Colin Thiele, were very encouraging and mentored Christina through her early days as a published illustrator.
After watching a documentary about Tasmanian devils, she decided
that this was an animal she could focus on. She had learnt a lot from the documentary and thought that if she had grown up in the bush alongside these creatures and didn't know about them, who else would? That evening her first picture book was written. Research
followed to include an information section, designed for children like her boys, who enjoyed reading interesting factual details, a feature that continues to appear in many of Christina's books.
Always a teacher and keen to pass on the generous support
shown to her by others in the industry, Christina has worked in schools running workshops and residencies for young readers, writers, and artists. Her message is to follow your dreams and not to let people say that you can't do it. As in her stories, Christina
aims to offer hope to children.
She has presented professional development sessions for teaching students, aides and teachers and is a frequent speaker at festivals and conferences sharing her journey as an author and how picture books are created.
Christina is a member of several literary organisations including being a member and working with the Tasmanian Writers’ Centre as a manuscript assessor, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and is a member of the Society of Women's Writers,
Tasmania where she has been interim President and Stylus editor. She helped design the current SWWT logo.
As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Australia (SCBWI), Christina is joint Tasmanian regional co-ordinator and
helped develop the Tasmanian chapter, ending the break in isolation often felt by Tasmanian children's book creators and offering peer-run professional development and networking opportunities in Tasmania.
Christina is a two times May Gibbs Fellow,
having spent residency time in Adelaide in 2009 and 2017. She is frequently asked to present at conferences and festivals, such as SCBWI, The Tasmanian Writers Festival, The Hobart Writer’s Festival, The Tamar Valley Writer’s Festival and
at a number of Australian School Librarians Association events, including a weekend writing retreat for ASLA members. As a visitor to schools, Christina has travelled across Australia and the world to talk about her stories and her passion for reading and
art.
In twenty years, Christina has created over thirty books for children. Many of them winning awards and recognised by young readers across the world. They have led her to opportunities to speak about saving the environment and endangered species
such as whales and Tasmania's own purinina (palawa kani for Tasmanian Devil) and the impact of extinction.
She is passionate about encouraging others to tell their stories and to share how books are made, encouraging young creators to pursue their dreams.
Christina always tells children that she has the best job in the world and encourages them to find their 'best job' and use their ‘superpower’ to help to change their world to be the best place it can be.
Christina continues to write and
illustrate full time from her studio based in southern Tasmania, currently working on numerous projects for the future. She looks forward to visiting schools both online and in person and continues to assist other authors with manuscript assessment services,
writing and illustrating workshops and support.
You can view Christina’s work, book trailers and stories at christinabooth.com