Juvenilia is work produced by an author or artist while they were a child.
This exhibition showcases the juvenilia of Australian children’s authors and illustrators and their early attempts at storytelling.
Everyone starts somewhere. Whether it is handwriting stories on scrap paper or drawing pictures in pencil and then rubbing them out, today’s most prominent creators of children’s books all started as children too, dreaming about being able to publish their own story.
This unique and intimate collection is an insight into the early writing and drawing of some of the most established authors and illustrators in Australia.
in february 2024 the launch of juvenilia at hyphen wodonga library & gallery featuring aimee chan and Andy griffiths was attended by over 900 people, making it the largest opening event in the gallery’s history.
in november 2024 karyn stephens, youth & children’s coordinator at unley libraries, won the south australian library & information award for her work with aimee chan in bringing juvenilia to adelaide. the launch of juvenilia in unley was attended by 28 authors and illustrators and featured a month long program of workshops, talks and events.
“What a fabulous initiative by Aimee Chan”
Featured Authors & Illustrators
Andy Griffiths, Alison Lester, Graeme Base, Ursula Dubosarsky, Danny Katz, Dub Leffler
Adam Cece, Aimee Chan, Chris Kennett, Kylie Howarth, Trent Roberts, Dianne Wolfer
Susanne Gervay, Tim Harris, Hazel Edwards, Jeremy Lachlan, Craig Sheather, Mandy Foot
Danny Snell, Duli Sen, Jane Jolly, Leilamarie Stuart-Likouresis, Asphyxia
“Aimee Chan has done an amazing job pulling together ORIGINAL childhood writings and artworks from some of Australia’s best kids’ authors and illustrators ”
Aimee Chan and author illustrator Dub Leffler at Juvenilia in Hyphen Wodonga Library Gallery
Aimee Chan at Juvenilia in Hyphen Wodonga Library Gallery
Touring Australia 2023 & 2024
Shepparton Library, vic, 19 January to 23 February 2023
euroa library, vic, 24 February to 16 March 2023
seymour library, vic, 17 march to 27 April 2023
bendigo writers’ festival, vic, 4 may to 11 may 2023
CIVIC LIBRARY, act, 19 August to 18 October 2023
headland writers’ festival @ bega library, nsw,
20 October to 2 November 2023
Hyphen wodonga, vic, 8 february to 5 may 2024
Unley LIBRARY, SA, 17 June to 12 July 2024
holbrook library, nsw, 27 august to 2 October 2024
culcairn library, nsw, 4 october to 7 november 2024
cobram library, vic 9 november to 5 december 2024
Shepparton * Euroa * Seymour * Bendigo Writers' Festival * Canberra * Headland Writers' Festival * Wodonga * Adelaide * Holbrook * Culcairn * Cobram *
Shepparton * Euroa * Seymour * Bendigo Writers' Festival * Canberra * Headland Writers' Festival * Wodonga * Adelaide * Holbrook * Culcairn * Cobram *
“Have you ever experienced the joy of looking at the Art of a child? Such a great initiative that should be a national exhibit. An insightful and important exhibit that deserves to be included at places like the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy.”
Winner of the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund supported by Writer’s Victoria
Over 900 people attended the launch of Juvenilia at Hyphen Wodonga with Andy Griffiths and Aimee Chan. Video: Sophie Stormon
Curated by Aimee Chan. Foreword by Jackie French. Sponsored by Aimee Chan, Andy Griffiths & Jill Griffiths and…
Our partners…
“Seeing the early drafts reassures young people that even professionals start with rough ideas. The best ideas can start anywhere, even in your backyard.”