Jane Godwin is the highly acclaimed author of over thirty books for children, across all styles and ages. Her work is published internationally and she has received many commendations.
Jane's most recent novels for 12 – 14 year olds are When Rain Turns to Snow (shortlisted for the 2021 CBC Book of the Year Award, Older Readers, and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, YA category), and As Happy as Here. Her most recent picture books are Sing Me the Summer, illustrated by Alison Lester, Little One, illustrated by Gabriel Evans, and Tilly, illustrated by Anna Walker and shortlisted for the 2020 CBC Picture Book of the Year Award. Jane and Anna have created eight bestselling picture books together – Little Cat and the Big Red Bus, All Through the Year, Today We Have No Plans, Starting School, What Do You Wish For?, Go Go and the Silver Shoes, Tilly, and Don’t Forget (published in April 2021). They are currently working on their ninth collaboration.
Jane was the Children’s Publisher at Penguin Books Australia for many years and worked with authors and illustrators including Alison Lester, Paul Jennings, Graeme Base, Ursula Dubosarsky, Terry Denton, Margaret Wild, Sofie Laguna, Freya Blackwood, Andrew Joyner, Marc Martin and many more. Along with her friend Davina Bell, Jane is the creator of Our Australian Girl, a highly successful series of quality historical fiction for middle readers. Jane has produced books for a wide range of readers, from very young children through to Young Adult and crossover titles.
Jane spends as much time as she can working with young people in schools and communities, running various literature and writing programs, making books and encouraging students in their own creative ventures. She is dedicated to pursuing quality and enriching reading and writing experiences for young people, whether it’s as a writer, a publisher or a speaker/facilitator in schools.
Jane lives in Melbourne with her partner, Michael. They have two adult children.
Published Titles
Little One, Affirm Press, 2021
Arno And His Horse, Scribble, 2021
Don't Forget, Penguin Books, 2021
Sing Me the Summer, Affirm Press, 2020
When Rain Turns to Snow, Hachette, 2020
I'll Always be Older than You, Hardie Grant, 2020
Tilly, Scholastic, 2019
One blue shoe, Affirm Press, 2019
As happy as here, Lothian Children's Books, 2019
Ivanhoe Swift left home at six, Allen & Unwin, 2019
Watch this! A book about making shapes, Scribe Publications, 2018
Monster party, Magabala Books, 2018
Birthday baby, Allen & Unwin, 2018
Red house, blue house, green house, treehouse, Affirm Press, 2018
The Silver Sea, Affirm Press, 2018
Go Go and the silver shoes, Penguin Australia, 2018
How big is too small? Penguin Australia, 2016
Today we have no plans, Penguin Australia, 2016
Hattie helps out, Allen & Unwin, 2016
Bear makes den, Allen & Unwin, 2016
with Michael Wagner
What do you wish for? Penguin Australia, 2015
Starting School, Penguin Australia, 2013
All through the year, Penguin Australia, 2010
Falling from grace, Penguin Australia, 2006