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Damon Young
Author, Curriculum Specialist, Education Consultant, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Storyteller
Damon Young combines a love of ideas and language with a fun, entertaining style. And lots of superhero t-shirts.
Where were you born?
I was born in Melbourne, many centuries ago—before sushi, before phones were cameras and compasses and dating agencies
What other jobs have you had?
In 1996 I played a mafia thug in a Jackie Chan film, Mr Nice Guy. I was also a university tutor, lecturer, and a research fellow at the University of Melbourne.
What themes are recurring in your work?
Love of language, celebration of diversity, laughter.
What have been the highlights of your career?
Seeing kids go to Book Week as my characters. My strange festival life, going from highbrow literary panels to rooms with 1000 kids yelling ‘NINJA!’. Oh, and My Pop Is A Pirate was shortlisted for an ABIA award this year.
Where have your works been published?
My books have been published in Australia and internationally, in English and in translation (Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Turkish, Chinese and Korean).
What are you passionate about?
Big ideas, beautiful words, hot cups of tea. My family.
Haven’t I seen you before?
Perhaps on ABC television or radio. Perhaps in the newspapers and magazines. Perhaps in a café, behind a huge pot of tea and book.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I read too many am a connoisseur of comics.
Testimonials
Damon Young’s presence at Kids Big Day Out on the Sunday morning of Byron Writers Festival 2016 instantly lifted the bar and atmosphere for our young festival goers.
Quoted as one of the “most anticipated authors” by 6 year old twins, Tom and Will from Yamba. Both had Damon’s books eagerly ready to be signed.
Damon presents a thrilling and engaging performance from a range of storytelling to illustrating. Young certainly has a way of connecting with Byron Bay and Australia’s young readers and writers.
Damon Young was one of the highlights of Story Arts Festival for myself and my students. Well prepared, confident and with energy in overdrive, Damon spoke with passion about his children’s books, the inspiration behind them and future book plans. Highly recommended for school and festival visits!
When Damon read My Nanna is a Ninja to our preschool ‘story time’ group at Balwyn library, his engaging and interactive style really brought the story to life.
The children were captivated by him – they giggled and completed his sentences, and asked him to read it over and over. His effortless ability to connect with the children was magical, as was the children’s desire to share with him all the special and unique things about their own nannas.
Most impressive was Damon’s ability to prompt thoughtfulness and playfulness in equal measure.
We’d have Damon back any time.