AUTHOR / PLAYWRIGHT / ACTOR

Sofie Laguna originally trained as an actor at the Victorian College of the Arts and is now an author, actor and playwright.

Her many books have been published in US and the UK and in translation throughout Europe and Asia.

Audience:
– Primary
– Secondary
– Adults

In her presentations for young people Sofie draws on her acting skills; for Preps to Grade Two she performs a play based on her book My Yellow Blanky (Omnibus 2002). Sofie plays the main character, an energetic and willful five-year-old, and the children from the audience play the other parts, complete with costumes and props. The show is dynamic and highly interactive, and this gives the students an opportunity to understand the connection between text and performance and how exciting it can be.

Sofie also uses her successful picture book, Too Loud Lily (Omnibus 2003) as a tool for interactive performance. With this text students have the opportunity to work together as a chorus, with Sofie in the role of 'conductor'. These sessions celebrate the (sometimes-noisy!) relationship between words, sound and action.

There is also a strong theatrical element in Sofie's presentations for middle and upper primary students. After speaking with students about the different inspirations for her stories, Sofie plays director and the students act out scenes from her novels. She has found this to be an excellent way of engaging the audience in her work and giving them a deeper understanding of character. Sofie also discusses the inspiration behind her work - from stories about embarrassing parents, to family holidays. She empowers her young audience with the belief that their own lives are rich with material for great stories.

In 2004 the Australia Council awarded Sofie a writing residency in New York, at Art Omi in Ghent. It was here she wrote her first novel for young adults, Bird and Sugar Boy. The novel was published in 2006, (Penguin) winning Honor Book in the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards 2007. Sofie uses this sensitive, moving story as a springboard for a discussion with upper primary/lower secondary students about families, best friends and the power of nature in our lives.

In her writing workshops for students Sofie runs workshops in developing character. Students make up their own characters on the page and the sessions end with 'real life' interviews, where students play the characters they have created. This has proved to be enormous fun, and a wonderful way to understand how characters develop.

Sofie's debut novel for adult readers, One Foot Wrong (Allen and Unwin 2008) was received with international acclaim. In Australia it was been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. The screen rights for One Foot Wrong have been optioned and this year Sofie completed the screenplay.

Sofie enjoys talking with adults about the transition from children’s books to fiction for adults, and from novel to screenplay.

Sofie is comfortable working with all ages – from lower primary students to adults. She loves to share what she had learned about writing and performance in ways that are spontaneous and engaging. Sofie is passionate about her work, and she communicates this passion in her sessions with humour and warmth.

'Great! The children, including 3-5 year olds, were totally involved. Keep it up Sofie!'
- Jennifer Fairley, Korowa Anglican Girls Junior School

'Sofie had a great rapport with the students. She inspired and involved the children and the teachers.'
- Rose Larkin, St Gerard's Primary School

'Sofie's visit was a terrific opportunity for the children to meet an author, and she was great with them - enthusiastic, entertaining and inspiring.'
- Sue Maher, St Mary's Primary School

'Sofie was excellent. She was able to work with all year levels and she has a lovely manner with the children. I would recommend her to any school.'
- Mary Klupacs, St John Vianneys

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

My Yellow Blanky – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2003

Too Loud Lily – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book 2003
Shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award 2003, Oppenheim Best Book Award USA 2004

Surviving Aunt Marsha – Selected as an Outstanding International Book by the Children’s Book Council of America 2004

On Our Way to the Beach – A White Raven Book 2005, selected by the International Youth Library (Associated Project of UNESCO)

Bad Buster – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2004

Big Ned’s Bushwalk – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2006

Bird and Sugar Boy – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book 2007

Stephen’s Music – A Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2008

One Foot Wrong – Shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award 2009, Longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award 2009