Jessica Walton Jessica Walton i(9576100 works by)
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Jessica Walton is a picture book author, and Introducing Teddy is her first book. Jess is also a cancer survivor, amputee, queer, daughter of a trans parent, feminist and teacher. As well as picture books, Jess writes about disability, LGBTI issues, and the intersections between her disabled and queer experiences. She is a sensitivity reader for manuscripts featuring amputee and queer characters, and reviews published books with amputee characters.

Jess lost her leg to cancer aged 9, and has worn a prosthetic leg ever since. Sick of legs that tried to mimic real skin, she started wearing patterned prosthetic legs. She hopes to design a snow globe-style prosthetic leg one day, with glittery snow swirling every time she takes a step.

Jess completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Deakin University (Arabic/Children’s Literature) and a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education (English/Humanities) at La Trobe University. She worked as a teacher, and is passionate about education. Jess hopes one day to develop educational resources aimed at improving the lives of LGBTI and disabled students.

Jessica is also a vocalist, ukulele player, and songwriter. In 2012, Jess made it to the finals of the Darebin Songwriters Competition with her song ‘Your Own Real Face’.

(Source: author's website)

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Stars in Their Eyes Fremantle : Fremantle Press , 2021 21918816 2021 single work graphic novel

'Maisie has always dreamed of meeting her hero, Kara Bufano, an amputee actor who plays a kick-arse amputee character in her favourite show. Fancon is big and exciting and exhausting. Then she meets Ollie, a cute volunteer who she has a lot in common with. Could this be the start of something, or will her mum, who doesn’t seem to know what boundaries are, embarrass her before she and Ollie have a chance?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.
2022 CBCA Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book — Older Readers
y separately published work icon Introducing Teddy : A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship Introducing Teddy New York (City) : Bloomsbury Children's Books , 2016 9576130 2016 single work picture book children's

'Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do together.'

'One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas the Teddy is sad, and Errol can't figure out why. Then Thomas the Teddy finally tells Errol what Teddy has been afraid to say: 'In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl Teddy, not a boy Teddy. I wish my name was Tilly.' And Errol says, 'I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.''

'A sweet and gentle story about being true to yourself and being a good friend, Introducing Teddy can also help children understand gender identity.' (Source: Publisher's website)
2017 nominated Yoto Carnegies Library Association Awards (UK) CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) Awards — Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration
VIEW ALL AWARDS
Last amended 28 Jun 2018 10:58:36
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