Connecting authors with australian schools

ASLA is pleased to be joining with award-winning British-Australian children's author Kate Foster and international children's and young adult author Dee White to promote the Author Pen Pals initiative -  an exciting initiative designed to foster a love of reading, writing, and creativity among young Australians.

Author Pen Pals, launched in 2023, was inspired by the UK initiative, BookPenPals, and also the Productivity Commission's inquiry and report that found Australia is failing to make progress on literacy levels.

The aim is to connect Australian authors and illustrators with Australian schools, in particular those that rarely have the opportunities to host or meet authors due to a lack of funds or their remote location. Building connections between authors and schools encourages and supports children to read and write.

 The idea is simple and the costs minimal. Authors and illustrators pair up with a class or classes for an entire school year and commit to sending at least four postcards throughout that year, one per term. Classes pair up with one author or illustrator for that entire school year and commit to replying to them at least twice throughout that year, once per semester.

Any author will tell you that receiving letters from children is a highlight of the job!  

Kate Foster

Get involved

Are you a teacher or library staff member working with students in Years K-7? The Author Penpal Program is a fantastic opportunity to bring the world of literature into your classroom—no matter how remote or resource-limited your school may be.

This initiative pairs your class with an Australian author or illustrator for a full school year, providing students the chance to connect with a real-life literary figure. Over the course of the year, your students will engage in fun and creative correspondence, receiving at least four postcards or letters, and replying to their penpal at least twice.

The goal of this program is to spark imagination, promote literacy, and create a sense of excitement around reading, writing, and illustration. Whether it’s talking about their favourite books, exploring the writing process, or sharing creative prompts, the Author Penpal Program offers endless possibilities for inspiring students to think and write outside the box.

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