I grew up in Sydney with my older brother Thomas and younger sister Elizabeth. My parents, refugees from Hungary, escaped war, communism, and terrorism, seeking a democratic home—Australia welcomed them.
My father was a farmer, and my mother, the daughter of a Hungarian Engineering Professor. Their journey, shared through interviews on ABC, TV, and print media, mirrors that of many others. Arriving without English, they rebuilt their lives working in factories.
I married an engineer, became a teacher and educational consultant, and had two wonderful children—Tory, pictured at age 8 in a Hungarian outfit made by her Grandma, and Jamie (JACK), who inspired my I Am Jack books.
Life brings challenges. My father died of cancer, my marriage ended, and I battled cancer myself. But life is about resilience, friendships, and embracing who we are. I began writing to make my children laugh and feel safe—then I wrote for all kids, parents, and families.
Education was my way of honouring my parents. I became a high school teacher, university lecturer, and educational consultant in child growth and development, earning a B.A. (UniSyd), M.Ed (UNSW), Dip. Ed., and MA (UTS).
Health struggles have followed me—from childhood allergies to multiple cancers, abdominal and brain tumours, even a stroke. Yet, nothing compares to my family’s courage. I aspire to that same strength, using my writing to connect with and uplift young people.
Being an author takes you around the world from Oprah, Fox News in Las Vegas, Outback Australia, to the loving kids of the Deaf & Blind School.
My books are driven by the rights of children and families, partnering them in good times and bad and writing for inclusion and respect for each other. I was deeply moved when I received the Lifetime Literature Award for my body of works, by the International Literacy Association.
Patrick Dodson regarded as the ‘Father of Indigenous Reconciliation’ Australia and Susanne flying to Kiribati, a Pacific island nation threatened by rising seas and climate change.
As an international and national speaker, I’ve addressed audiences from New York to Delhi on my work to emotionally engage in diverse areas including disability, inclusion, multiculturalism, racism, bullying, inclusion and peace.
You’ll find me planting 3000 mangroves in Kiribati with Patrick Dobson, father of indigenous reconciliation, as part of a mission for education where I spoke to 1000s of kids. In Istanbul speaking to 1000s of kids about NO bullying. In indigenous schools bringing literacy to kids in remote communities. In a juvenile detention centre sharing story with girls who deserve a future. In India talking to teachers and writers about how books are a way towards peace. Dancing with 104 year dancer old Eileen Kramer as she writes her memoir. At the Braille Young writers Awards night where I received I Am Jack in braille. So poignant.
My passion is empowering kids and adults with story. Story that brings hope especially to young people, as they navigate this complex world. As the child of refugees, growing up with the emotional complexities of parents who had been through war, migration and loss, books were my source of escape, comfort and courage. It has been the driving force in my 20 year immersion in the children’s industry, as a writer, mentor, speaker, advocate for literacy and a voice for young people and their communities.
I will always be very moved to have been awarded the Order of Australia for children’s literature, nomination for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Lifetime Literature Award for my body of works on social justice for children, by the International Literacy Association.
My other awards include the University of Technology Alumni Excellence Award, Lady Cutler Award for Distinguished Services to Children’s Literature, Winner of The Society of Women Children’s and Young Adult Biennial Book Awards, Notable Awards from Children’s Book Council Australia, winner of Family Therapy Children’s Book Awards and others.
It is especially validating that my work is used and endorsed by many organizations including the Cancer Council NSW, Life Education Australia, Room to Read, Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Variety the children’s charity, The Children’s Hospital (Sydney), IBBY Disability and others.
I am co-Regional Advisor (co-head) of Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators in Australia East. Previously, I was head of all of Australia and New Zealand but the organisatons has grown so much that I decided to split the regions. It is part of the largest children’s writers & illustrators in the world SCBWI with nearly 30,000 members. It is an extraordinary association dedicated to fostering the talent of children’s writers and illustrators. There are now vibrant SCBWI chapters in Queensland with 3 sub chapters in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Far North Queensland, ACT, South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Victoria. Many of my greatest friends are part of the SCBWI community and we live a crazy and emotion, but beautiful life in the world of books.
I am committed to literacy and have held and continue to hold active roles as an Ambassador for the Premier’s Reading Challenge NSW, committee member and role model for Books in Homes which has distributed more than 2 million books to indigenous and disadvantaged Australian children, Writer Ambassador Room to Read which has reached more than 20 million children in Asia and Africa, patron of Monkey Baa Theatre, former Chair of the board of Writing NSW and former president of the Society of Women Writers NSW, Australia Day Ambassador promoting inclusion, committee member of Children’s Book Council Australia and a literacy ambassador for many campaigns.
As an international and national speaker, I’ve addressed audiences from New York to Delhi on my work to emotionally engage in diverse areas including disability, inclusion, multiculturalism, racism, bullying, inclusion, peace.
