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Sara Acton
Author | Illustrator | Prep-Grade 6
New South Wales

Sara Acton is an award-winning author and illustrator. Sara grew up in the Cotswolds in England and always loved drawing, especially people and other strange creatures. She studied BA Hons Fine Art and trained as an Art Teacher in London. After teaching and practicing art in England and New Zealand Sara moved with her family to Australia. 

Sara now lives in a small seaside village on the Central Coast of NSW, where she enjoys writing and illustrating for children in her studio, whilst drinking tea and eating far too many biscuits. When not in her studio she can be found out and about sketching and visiting schools, libraries and bookshops to deliver presentations and workshops.

Her first picture book Ben and Duck won the 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Crichton Award for new illustrators.

Books by Sara Acton

A Wish for Baby

Best Suited 0+ Years 
I wish you health and happiness,but even when there’s pain …
I hope you see the rainbows
as you’re running through the rain.

This gentle picture book is a celebration of a new baby’s arrival, expressing all the hopes, joys, and dreams dreams for a little one’s future.

The perfect gift to welcome a new baby to the world.

Runt

Best Suited 8+ Years
Annie Shearer lives in the country town of Upson Downs with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. The two share a very special bond.

After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, perfect for herding runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family’s home at risk, Annie directs Runt’s extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit – winning the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.

However, there is a curious catch: Runt will only obey Annie’s commands if nobody else is watching.

With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt must beat the odds and the fastest dogs in the world to save her farm.

Runt is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, being yourself and bringing out the best in others.

You’ve Got Yoghurt In Your Nostrils

Best Suited 0-6 Years
You’ve got yoghurt in your nostrils,
avocado-smeared hair,
bacon in your bellybutton,
and toast crusts on your chair.

Join baby as they discover how much fun food can be – and not just to eat!

I’ll Always Be Older Than You

Best suited for ages 3+ years
A big sister marvels at how she will always be older than her baby brother, no matter how much he grows.

Daddy Cuddle

Best Suited 0-6 Years
An undeniably adorable new picture book for dads everywhere, from bestselling author Kate Mayes and award-winning illustrator Sara Acton.

‘Daddy up?’

It’s early in the morning and one little rabbit is wide awake …

Mummy Cuddle

Best Suited 0-6 Years
‘Mummy play?’

It’s getting late, but one little rabbit is wide awake …

The Tales of Mr Walker

Best Suited for ages 6-8 years
On a brilliant autumn’s day, Mr Walker arrives at the grandest hotel in town. While things get off to a wobbly start, this charming labrador is determined to put his best paw forward. And it’s just as well because the most unexpected adventures await . . .

Mr Walker Braves the Night

Best Suited for ages 6-8 years
Halloween is just around the corner and with it comes the promise of treats and walks. Mr Walker can’t wait! That is, until his toy wombat disappears without a trace and strange noises start up in the night. Is it Mr Walker’s imagination or is there a guest of the spooky kind visiting the hotel . . . ?

Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop

Best Suited for ages 6-8 years
It’s all systems go as the staff prepare for the arrival of an important reviewer. This could be make or break and, with the manager away on holiday, it’s up to Mr Walker to be at his charming best.

Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight

Best Suited for ages 6-8 years
There’s a special anniversary celebration happening at the hotel and everyone is excited – especially Mr Walker!

Mr Walker and the Perfect Mess

Best Suited for ages 6-8 years
One of the hotel’s most treasured staff members is leaving and, while Mr Walker is sad to see Josephine go, he is determined to make her last week a memorable one. If only he can think of the perfect present. First things first – to cope with the summer heatwave and prepare for the Guide Dogs fundraiser. Oof, our little labrador is going to need a nap after this adventure!

Jack’s Jumper

Best Suited 3+ Years
A heartfelt yarn exploring the bonds of brotherhood and the ties that bind, told with humour and warmth – now in paperback.

Jack’s jumper is special because it can be many things – a den, a hat, a hug – but most of all it is special because it belonged to Jack’s big brother, Paul. Jack wears the jumper every day, but when forced to take it off to have a bath, the cat sees a comfy new bed . . .

Bridie’s Boots

Best Suited 3-6 Years
When Bridie receives a pair of gum boots wrapped in rainbow paper for her fifth birthday she is delighted. They are the best boots ever! Just right for splashing in puddles and twirling on tiptoes. But when Bridie turns six she decides her boots should go on a big adventure.

Cherries

Best Suited 3-6 Years
The days are long and warm, the nights balmy, and the cherries in the orchard are growing juicy and plump. Time stretches endlessly ahead as we’re transported to an idyllic summer of swinging from trees, running with kites and gazing at stars. With wistful illustrations by award-winning Sara Acton, Cherries is a story about the freedom of childhood and the magic of that first bite of summer fruit.

Dinosaur Day Out

Best Suited 3-8 Years
Sally and Max love dinosaurs. They can’t wait to see them at the museum, but today the dinosaur exhibition is closed. Where will the dinosaurs go on their day off?

Quick as a Wink, Fairy Pink

Best Suited 3+ Years
Lesley Gibbes’ and Sara Acton’s delightful bedtime book is guaranteed to make every toddler jump into bed as quick as a wink to have this story read to them.

Five little flutter fairies going off to bed.
Fairy Blue, Fairy Green, Fairy Gold, and Red.
But one of them is hiding.
Which fairy do you think?

Stitches and Stuffing

Best Suited 3+ Years
Adeline’s beloved Bunnybear goes with her everywhere, but one night he is damaged by the dog. Nanna sews Bunnybear back together, but this new Bunnybear is stiff and strange and Adeline puts him on a shelf and leaves him there. Then Nanna goes away, and Adeline realises it is not just stitches and stuffing that holds Bunnybear together … it is love.

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