Matt Cosgrove
Matt Cosgrove, lover of words, pictures and books in general, is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Macca the Alpaca books, Dharma the Llama and the Epic Fail Tales series. With over 25 years experience in the publishing industry he regularly speaks to children at schools and libraries with the simple message: Keep Drawing, Keep Writing, Keep Reading. Matt’s picture book, Alpacas With Maracas, was the official National Simultaneous Storytime selection for 2019, with over 1 million kids across Australia and New Zealand reading together at the same time!
The MS Readathon is such an iconic event and I'm honoured to be an ambassador. I loved taking part in the MS Readathon when I was a kid and I'm so happy new generations of young readers are embracing this challenge. What a cool concept... Celebrating reading, encouraging empathy and helping out families affected by multiple sclerosis - all at the same time!
Check out Matt's website www.mattcosgrovebooks.com for fun facts and free activities. Or you might catch him on instagram, facebook or twitter when he should be working instead.
www.instagram.com/matt.cosgrove/
www.facebook.com/MattCosgroveBooks/
twitter.com/MrMattCosgrove/
Andy Griffiths
Andy Griffiths is one of Australia's most popular children's authors. He and illustrator Terry Denton have collaborated on more than 30 bestselling books since their first title, Just Tricking, was published in 1997.
In Australia Andy and Terry's books have sold over 10 million copies, won 80 children's choice awards and 10 Australian Book Industry Awards-including Book of the Year for The 52-Storey Treehouse in 2015.
Their much-loved Treehouse Series has been embraced by children around the world and is now published in more than 35 countries. Five of the books in the series have been adapted for the stage and have all had sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera house, as well as highly successful seasons in the Netherlands, New Zealand and America.
Andy is a passionate advocate for literacy and in 2015 was awarded the Dromkeen Medal to honour his outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature. He is also an ambassador for both The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the Pyjama Foundation.
“I’ve always loved a challenge and if that challenge involves bringing kids and books together in order to raise funds to help people with multiple sclerosis then all the better…I can’t imagine a life without reading and I am happy to be an MS Readathon ambassador to encourage as many children as possible to discover the pleasures of reading and imagination for themselves.”
Shannan and Tayla Stedman
Shannan and Tayla Stedman are sisters (self-proclaimed twins) and co-authors from Sydney, Australia. They are a pair of tea-guzzling, daydreamers with glitter in their souls and a passion for creativity. Their debut children’s book series with Scholastic - Lola Online - is a fun-filled, action-packed story full of laugh out loud moments that was inspired by their YouTube obsessed little sister and her crazy cat, Stampy. The next two books in their series are due to hit shelves in 2022. For six years the Stedman Sisters ran their children’s entertainment company, Happily Ever Laughter, and both have writing degrees from The University of Technology Sydney. Shannan and Tayla love creating unique and loveable characters that inspire kids to dream big, because where’s the fun in dreaming small?
We are so honoured to be ambassadors for the MS Readathon. It is such a wonderful challenge, which not only encourages kids to discover their love of reading but also raises awareness and funds for such an important cause, multiple sclerosis. The MS Readathon has always been a part of our lives and of our families, and we love the thought of it continuing on so that kids today can too find the magic and excitement that reading can bring to their lives!
Website: www.stedmansisters.com
Instagram: @stedmansisters
YouTube: Stedman Sisters
Rebecca Marshallsay
Bec is a Gold Coast based author, freelance writer and dedicated bookworm. Her debut picture book, Facing the Wave, (illustrated by Vaughan Duck) was published by Larrikin House in April 2022, and draws on Bec’s love of the ocean and adventure, and passion for water safety. Facing the Wave is a fun, beachy read that sees would-be surfer Jude confront his worries to realise his dream of joining his surfing family in the water.
With a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) and more than 10 years’ experience teaching writing and communication, Bec believes that reading should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. To this end, Bec loves writing stories that young readers will enjoy (and that grown-ups won’t mind reading over and over).
As a kid, the MS Readathon was one of the highlights of my school year. If I could go back and tell my primary school self that one day, I would be an MS Readathon ambassador, she would think it was one of the greatest achievements possible. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to support the MS Readathon as it continues to build literacy skills, foster a love of reading, and raise money to assist people living with multiple sclerosis.
Website: www.becmarshallsay.com
Instagram: @becmarshallsay
Twitter: @becmarshallsay
