Julie Hunt loves storytelling and traditional folktales. Her stories combine other-worldly elements with down-to-earth humour. She loves travel and is fascinated by landscapes and the tales they inspire. This interest has taken her from the rugged west coast of Ireland to the ice caves of Romania where she collected ideas for her graphic novel, KidGlovz, illustrated by Dale Newman. KidGlovz won the 2016 Queensland Literary Award and her latest novel, Shine Mountain, was shortlisted for the 2019 NSW Premier's Award. She has received many awards and commendations for earlier books, including winning Readings' inaugural Children's Book Prize for Song for a Scarlet Runner in 2014 and the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award for The Coat, illustrated by Ron Brooks, in 2013. For artist Dale Newman, the imagery of Julie's story was so strangely familiar that drawing it into being was a dream job for her. Dale has been engaged in creative life for over thirty years, as a newspaper artist, a printmaker, a musician and songwriter, a youth arts worker and a freelance illustrator. KidGlovz was her very first-ever epic graphic novel. Dale lives on the NSW coast with her partner and son, who kindly agreed to model for the book. Her artwork also appears on the cover of Julie's award-winning novel Song for a Scarlet Runner.
'The pages brim with magic, and there's an enjoyable level of threat with a shadowy thrill that younger fans of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights will definitely enjoy.' - Booktrust 'Julie Hunt's storytelling is captivating; she creates dark-edged adventures with echoes of folklore. A colourful cast of characters and a vivid setting transport the reader into a world of circus, music and magic. Illustrator Dale Newman once again brings her unique style to this work, creating a visual narrative that provides another layer to the story, opening it up to a broader readership. Suitable for readers aged 8-12, Shoestring, the Boy Who Walks on Air will introduce a new troupe of fans to Hunt and Newman's work and will have those already familiar reaching for their copy of KidGlovz to re-read.' - Books + Publishing