Steve Heron OAM – BIO
Books to touch and tickle hearts
♦ Children’s book author ♦ Schools presenter ♦ Conference speaker ♦ Children’s advocate ♦ Affirmative vandal ♦ Hooligan of hope ♦ Champion of social and emotional wellbeing in children ♦ BUZologist ♦ Wordbender ♦
Steve is an award-winning children’s book author passionate about social and emotional well-being. With over forty decades of experience and 15,000 hours in conversation with children about a myriad of issues, Steve has honed his skills in helping children understand and manage their emotions, which he translates into his writing. When he’s not hanging out with his feathered friends, the local cheeky magpies, or reminiscing about his puppetry and TV presenter days, he’s crafting stories that touch and tickle the hearts of children.
Steve’s dedication to his craft gained him numerous accolades. His middle-grade novel, “One Thousand Snapshots” – Playtime Books 2021, won the Australian Association of Family Therapy Book Award for younger readers in 2022, and was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards in 2021 and shortlisted for the Children’s Peace Literature Awards 2023.
His other notable works include “Ling Li’s Lantern” – MidnightSun 2020, which won the Picture Book All Ages Category Northern Lights Book Awards in 2021, and the hilarious “Where Ya Goin’?” – Wild Eyed Press 2021, which was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards in 2022.
With a Diploma in Children’s Writing and Publishing, Steve’s unique blend of expertise and creativity continues to inspire and empower young readers.
In 2016, he was listed in the Queen’s Birthday honours and received an Order of Australia Medal for contribution to the social and emotional wellbeing of children. Steve is the founder of Nurture Works Foundation and developed the acclaimed ‘BUZ – Build Up Zone’ social and emotional programs and initiatives used in many schools throughout WA.
Maximus, his first middle-grade novel was published by Serenity Press in 2018
- Steve’s short story “Amish and The Lost Money Pouch” is the winner of the inaugural 2023 About Kids Books Short Story Prize.
- Short Short story ‘Dragon Tears‘ Highly commended in the BUZZwords Magazine Short Story Competition 2020
- Picture book ‘Harold the Horrid’ was short listed with 2017 Greenleaf Buds Writing competition.
His first dabble with writing for children led to a series of six picture books in the ‘Feel Safe Feel Right Series’ published by Nurture Works in 2007.
Author of ‘BUZology’ 2011 and ‘Bullyproofing’ 2013 – books for people working with and caring for children.
Steve has extensive experience working with children in schools and is no stranger to doing presentations to kids. He has a positive web and social media platform ready to promote his books and presentations.
A champion of wellbeing for children, he has been called an affirmative vandal and a hooligan of hope.
- Steve has spent more than 15,000 hours of his life in pastoral conversation with children, listening to their hurts, concerns, struggles, joys and celebrations.
- Steve is available for school author visits, class workshops, library visits, writer’s festivals and staff professional development. SEE HERE
- Steve is also a champion of the Liddle Things, as seen through his photography and writing.
