Katrina Nannestad

Where were you born?

I was born in Coonabarabran, a small country town in New South Wales, which set the pattern for the rest of my life. At thirteen, I moved to an even smaller country town called Peak Hill. I studied at a country university in Armidale. And my first teaching job was at a wonderful two teacher school in a teeny-tiny town called Wingello. Now I live on a hillside in a paddock in central Victoria - in a house, not in the long grass!

My first books, Bungaloo Creek and the Red Dirt Diary series, were inspired by my country childhood and small-school teaching experiences.

What other jobs have you had?

I used to work as a primary school teacher - rich fields for story ideas! (See above). I’ve also worked on a Christmas tree farm in Denmark. Unfortunately, there were no elves helping, but occasionally a deer would wander between the trees.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I love writing stories that focus on family, friendship and belonging. My historical novels are set during the Second World War and deal with themes of identity, resilience, hope, and the power of kindness to change lives. I believe that kindness is the key to a better world.

What have been the highlights of your career?

• I am wildly excited and delighted every time another of my books is published. There’s nothing quite like holding that first copy in your hands.
• Sharing the love of reading and writing with children is always a buzz.
• Winning my first literary award, the NSW Premier’s Award for Children’s Literature, the Patricia Wrightson Prize (2014), for The Girl Who Brought Mischief was a big moment for me. This was my first literary award. I’ve won a number of awards since and it’s always exciting to have a book honoured in this special way.

What are you passionate about?

Family, friends, books, writing, flowers, holidays, laughing.

Where have your works been published?

Australia, the UK, Germany, USA, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Taiwan, Japan.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Awards:

Silver Linings

• Winner 2025 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards

We Are Wolves

• Winner 2022 Adelaide Festival Children's Literature Award
• Winner 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize - Children and Young Adult Category
• Winner 2021 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
• Shortlisted 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: Young Readers
• Shortlisted 2021 Queensland Literary Awards - Children’s Book Award
• Shortlisted 2022 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature - Children’s Literature Award

The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome

• CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers, 2018
• Long-listed 2018 ABIA Awards

The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Provence

• CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers, 2019

The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Lucerne

• CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers, 2020

Olive of Groves 

• Shortlisted 2016 Indie Book Awards

The Girl Who Brought Mischief

• Winner 2014 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature - the Patricia Wrightson Prize.
• CBCA Notable Book for Young Readers, 2014

Red Dirt Diaries

• Shortlisted 2011 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards
• Shortlisted 2012 West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards

Red Dirt Diaries: Blue About Love

• CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers, 2013

Bungaloo Creek

• CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers, 2002