Gina M Newton
AUTHOR | PRESENTER | SCIENTIST
About Gina
Hi and welcome. I love writing entertaining books for children about Australia’s unique biodiversity and environment. I've trained as a marine biologist, aquatic ecologist, zoologist, science communicator, and author. My goal as a children’s author is to help kids get excited about, know about, and care for Australian wildlife and their habitats.
I create fiction and nonfiction books - Picture, Middle Grade and YA. I've been inspired by Master Classes with the late, great Bryce Courtney, and with the incredible Fiona McIntosh. I’m thrilled my first nonfiction book, Amazing Animals of Australia’s National Parks (2016) won three prestigious awards, including the CBCA Eve Pownall Information Book of the Year, in 2017.
My second nonfiction book, Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish (2020) was shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Eve Pownall and Wilderness Society awards, and won a Whitley award for Threatened Species Conservation for children, and the ACT Notable Award for Children's big press 2022.
My latest fiction picture book is about to hit the shelves in February 2024. Spider Wars is a humorous action-packed tale involving dazzling tiny Peacock Spiders and their arch rivals the Wolf Spiders. It’s a book that’s sure to surprise and inspire!
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School Visits
Gina is a regular presenter at schools, libraries, conferences, PD days, and other events. She loves sharing her stories and her passion for Australia’s amazing wildlife and environment with young people. Gina’s presentations and workshops include: creative writing for children; wildlife conservation; climate change; and marine & river ecology. If you would like information about a school visit or event, please contact Gina.