KAREN TYRRELL is a Brisbane award-winning child empowerment author. Karen created fifteen books including Andy & Ghost Boy with bravery, resilience, self-care and eco themes. Travelling throughout Australia, Karen delivers talks, readers theatre and workshops with author hubby Steve Tyrrell to children and adults at schools, libraries, festivals, teacher’s conferences, writing camps and writers’ centres.

Author Talk

Karen shares her real-life journey that inspired writing #15 books. She reveals her writing process, collaborations, world-building, plot development, editing, solving problems and drawing one’s own experiences in writing. This talk can be tailored to your needs. Includes costumes, props, PowerPoint shows, dramatic book readings and writing workshops.

Bullies & Resilience

Karen presents powerful interactive talks, role play and readers theatre, including PowerPoint, costumes, props and writing workshops around her highly-acclaimed book Andy & Ghost Boy. Children develop strategies for bravery, resilience, facing fears, self-care and coping skills to promote optimum wellness and happiness.

Local History Picture Book

Karen shares how she created a historical picture book, Follow the Sugar Trail, based on the history and geography of her local area, comparing past events to present day. Karen reveals the process of researching, reading, taking photos, creating meaningful characters, and crafting an enthralling story from starting point to a satisfying ending.

Song Bird Series

Karen and co-writer Steve take you on an interactive journey through the Song Bird ECO series. Karen as Song Bird & Steve as Destructo share how and why they wrote each eco book: Song Bird Superhero, Song Bird Battle of Bug World, Song Bird Rainforest Rescue, Song Bird Great Barrier Reef Rescue and Song Bird Drought Rescue. With PowerPoint, readers theatre and props, Karen and Steve will show students how to keep oceans clean, care for rainforests, reduce pollution and save natural habitats. Learn about your favourite Aussie animals, including koalas, turtles, dinosaurs, bees, rosellas, and wallaroos. Hear about the inspiration behind Karen’s stories and read along with her.

Superhero Story Writing Workshop

Create an entertaining SUPER hero story, boosting creativity and writing skills. Children write a superhero story with SUPER characters, SUPER villains and SUPER powers. Includes planning sheet, PowerPoint, costumes, props, modelling and sharing.

Adventure Story Writing Workshop

Write an exciting adventure story with tips on developing a plot, creating tension, drama and cliff-hangers in an adventure setting. We use our imaginations and inspiration to challenge characters to solve their problems. Includes interactive PowerPoint, readers theatre, planning sheet, props and costumes.

Build a Hero Character

Create an unforgettable hero character with hero traits, goals and fears. Participants strengthen a character, show action, create dialogue and display thoughts.

Create a Picture Book

Plan, write and illustrate a picture book. Karen provides an insight into how picture books are constructed. Students are led through exercises to create their individual picture book, design and illustrate the front cover, create a blurb, and write and illustrate a simple story.

Bailey Beats the Blah Pantomime – Friendship skills P-2

Karen dressed as Bailey and Steve as fuzzy the dog, bringing to life the picture book Bailey Beats the Blah as an interactive pantomime with fun costumes, props, songs, role play, Q&A and kid’s activities. Children learn how to make and keep friends.

Harry Helps Grandpa Pantomime – Memory skills & Grandparents P-2

Karen dressed as Harry and Steve as Grandpa, bringing to life the picture book Harry Helps Grandpa Remember as an interactive pantomime with fun costumes, props, music, role play, Q&A and activities. Children learn memory-boosting skills, the value of communication and family relationships.

*Schools receive EXTRA value: #2 interactive performers for the PRICE of one!