Why Author Visits Matter: Inspiring Young Readers and Future Storytellers
There is something truly special about watching children meet the person behind the pages of a book.
This week, we had the pleasure of joining award-winning author Corinne Fenton at Templeton Primary School, where she shared Racing Puffing Billy with an enthusiastic group of Year 1 students. From the moment Corinne began reading, the classroom was filled with curious faces, eager questions and excited hands shooting into the air. As the story unfolded, so did conversations about where ideas come from, how books are created and what it really means to be an author.
As Corinne reflected on her own journey, she left the students with a message that perfectly captured the heart of the session.
"Anyone can write. Any one of you can be a writer. You just need to practise," Corinne told the Year 1 students.
It was a simple but powerful reminder that writing isn't reserved for a select few. It begins with curiosity, imagination and the confidence to keep trying.
The students were fascinated to learn about Corinne's own story. She shared how, as a child, she loved poetry and looked forward to poetry lessons at school. Before becoming an award-winning children's author, she worked as a secretary specialising in shorthand, proving there is no single path to becoming a writer.
Corinne also spoke about her passion for telling true stories about animals and keeping their memory alive. She explained that these remarkable stories deserve to be remembered and shared with future generations, a passion that has become a defining part of her work and inspired books such as Racing Puffing Billy.
Throughout the session, the students asked thoughtful and imaginative questions. They wanted to know where ideas come from, how long it takes to write a book, what inspired Racing Puffing Billy and what it means to be an author. Watching their confidence grow as they realised that authors are ordinary people who were once children with big imaginations was a joy to witness.
Perhaps the most memorable moments came at the end of the visit. Students proudly lined up with copies of Racing Puffing Billy, eager to ask one last question and have their books signed. For many, it wasn't simply an autograph, it was the opportunity to meet the person whose story had captured their imagination.
These are the moments that remind us why author visits matter.
When children meet an author, books become more than words on a page. They become conversations, inspiration and possibilities. They discover that every story starts with an idea, every author begins somewhere, and creativity grows through curiosity, perseverance and practice.
We believe children's books have the power to inspire, educate and create lasting connections. Author visits bring stories to life in a way that can't be replicated in the classroom alone, encouraging young readers to ask questions, think creatively and discover that their own stories matter too.
A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff and Year 1 students at Templeton Primary School for making us feel so welcome, and to Corinne Fenton for so generously sharing her passion for storytelling and preserving Australia's remarkable true stories.
As students proudly left with signed copies of Racing Puffing Billy, it was clear the story had become more than words on a page. It had become a memory, a conversation and, perhaps for some, the beginning of their own love of reading and writing.
Discover Racing Puffing Billy
Inspired by the remarkable true story of Jerry, the legendary dog who raced Puffing Billy, Racing Puffing Billy celebrates courage, friendship and the importance of preserving Australia's true stories for future generations.
Whether read in the classroom or at home, it is a story that continues to spark curiosity, inspire conversation and remind young readers that some of the greatest adventures really did happen.
Interested in an Author Visit?
Bring the magic of storytelling to your school or library with a Windy Hollow Books author visit. Our talented Australian authors and illustrators deliver engaging presentations, storytimes and Q&A sessions that inspire creativity, encourage a love of reading and give children the opportunity to connect with the people behind the stories they love.
To enquire about an author visit, please contact us or reach out to the author directly.
