Tony Armstrong, a proud Gamilaroi man hailing from rural NSW, found national acclaim as an AFL player turned TV personality, including as the sports presenter on ABC TV’s News Breakfast. Now he’s a successful children’s book author and will share his latest book Maggie the Dragon at Byron Writers Festival’s Kids Program.
Your new book is Maggie the Dragon: Chase Your Dreams! What role do you believe children’s books play in shaping young minds and fostering inclusivity?
I reckon books are such an integral part of teaching children to dream big but also learn empathy. Books are places where you can live a life through another person’s perspectives!
Do you have a favourite book from childhood that impacted you?
I loved The Magic Faraway Tree.
How did collaborating with illustrator Emma Sjaan Beukers shape the visual storytelling of the book?
Well Emma has done such an amazing job, I’m so lucky to have someone who is so bloody good at their art collaborating with me. We basically gave her the brief and then she brought her unique style and tone to the work.
What can we expect from your Byron Writers Festival session Chase your Dreams?
Lots of fun, some silly voices and a very nervous author who will be reading it!
The theme for Byron Writers Festival is Passion and Purpose. How do you personally define passion and purpose, and how do these definitions shape you as a writer?
I think passion and purpose are the key elements that define your voice. I don’t ever want to write anything that is what other people expect from me, it all needs to be something that I’m proud of and I’m excited by.
- Byron Writers Festival’s Kids Program is presented at Bangalow Showground on Sunday 10 August from 9am.
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