Michelle Worthington
Michelle Worthington is an internationally published author of award winning books for children and has a passion for inclusion. With over fifteen years in the publishing industry, she is a two-time winner of the International Book Award, finalist in the USA Best Book Award, recipient of the Gellett Burgess Award for Children’s Literature and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in Picture Books. Three of her picture books have recognised on the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Notables list and two have been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Awards and NSW Society of Women’s Writers Award.
Michelle has conducted school visits all over the world and has been a featured speaker at international literary festivals in Australia, Europe and the United States on the importance of story. Michelle is also accredited to work with children with special needs and she believes that every child should have the opportunity to share their story.
An energetic and dynamic storyteller
Michelle is dedicated to encouraging a strong love of reading and writing in children of all abilities and conducts author visits at state, independent and special schools as well as council libraries. She especially enjoys meeting people through her speaking engagements for corporate groups, women’s groups and charities.
Whether she’s a book fairy, a pirate or an elf, Michelle encourages all her readers to dream big.
Primary School Workshops
A menu of practical, imaginative sessions that can be adapted to year level, class size, festival theme or curriculum
focus. Workshops can be delivered individually or combined into an author-visit program.
Sensory Storytelling
Prep–Grade 1 | 30 minutes
An interactive introduction to stories using voice, music, movement and imagination. Students help bring a story to life in a welcoming, playful session.
Students explore: listening, oral language, sequencing and imaginative participation.
Tell Me a Story
Grade 2 | 45–60 minutes
Students invent a new story about family, friendship or a familiar animal character, then shape their ideas into a beginning, complication and resolution.
Students explore: story structure, character qualities, relationships and plot.
Creating Cool Characters
Grade 3 | 45–60 minutes
Students build a memorable character and place them in a friendship story with a clear goal, problem and meaningful choices.
Students explore: character development, setting, description and narrative structure.
Twisted Tales
Grade 4 | 60 minutes
Students imagine a new chapter for a book, exploring how writers extend an existing story while keeping characters, setting and plot engaging.
Students explore: continuity, descriptive language, story development and point of view.
Once Upon a Whoops
Grade 5 | 60 minutes
Students begin a fantasy novel, establishing a setting and creating contrasting characters with strengths, flaws and competing motivations.
Students explore: world-building, character traits, conflict and opening chapters.
There’s No Such Thing as a Happy Ending
Grade 6 | 60 minutes
Students write an entertaining short story in which a character faces a conflict, then consider how their creative choices shape the reader’s experience.
Students explore: tension, imagery, narrative choices and editing.
Poetry: That Rhymed! You’re a Poet and You Know It
Primary | 45–60 minutes
A lively, practical workshop where students play with rhythm, rhyme, sound and word choice to create their own poems. Activities can be adapted for younger and older primary students, with a focus on experimenting with language and finding a distinctive voice.
Workshops can be adjusted for mixed-age groups and different ways of participating, including speaking, writing, drawing, movement or quiet reflection.
From Page to Screen
Bring storytelling into the world of film. Drawing on Michelle’s work as a screenwriter and her experience developing practical filmmaking resources, these sessions help students understand how a story changes when it is told through images, sound, performance and editing.
From Idea to Screenplay
Upper Primary–Secondary | 60–90 minutes
Turn a simple idea into a short film concept. Students identify the central character, goal, obstacle and turning point, then shape the idea into a short scene.
Students explore: loglines, scene structure, action, dialogue and concise storytelling.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Grades 4–10 | 60 minutes
Explore how filmmakers communicate emotion and meaning through visual choices rather than explanation. Students plan a scene using images, actions, setting and sound.
Students explore: visual storytelling, shot ideas, mood, point of view and audience.
Young Filmmakers: Plan Your Short Film
Grades 5–12 | 60–90 minutes
An introduction to pre-production. Students develop a mini film plan and learn why preparation helps a shoot run smoothly.
Students explore: storyboards, shot lists, locations, props, continuity and team roles.
Adapt It!
Grades 4–12 | 60–90 minutes
Explore what changes when a story moves from a book to a screen. Students decide what to keep or change and pitch their own screen version.
Students explore: adaptation, audience, visual choices, pacing and creative problem-solving.
Poetry for Secondary Students
Grades 7–12 | 60 minutes
A poetry workshop for teenagers exploring voice, imagery, rhythm, form and the power of precise language. Students experiment with poetic techniques and develop a poem that communicates an idea, feeling or point of view in their own style.
Creative Arts Careers: Turning Creativity into a Career
Senior students | 45–60 minutes
An engaging talk about pathways across writing, screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing and the wider creative industries. Michelle shares insights into developing ideas, building creative projects, collaborating with others and pursuing opportunities in creative work. The session can include a Q&A tailored to students’ interests.
Senior school options
Sessions can be tailored to English, Media Arts, drama, literacy programs, gifted and talented groups, or a school film project. Students leave with practical creative strategies and a clearer understanding of how stories are shaped for different audiences.
LET’S BUILD A PROGRAM FOR YOUR SCHOOL
Author visits • Writing and poetry • Screenwriting • Filmmaking • Creative arts careers talks • Bespoke programs
Testimonials
Michelle was wonderful. She was engaging, interesting and fun to watch. The children absolutely loved her. She has even inspired a bunch of children to attempt writing their own books. The feedback from all staff, from Prep to Year 6 was nothing but positive. We would definitely recommend Michelle to other schools.
Saint Augustine's PS, Currumbin Waters - August, 2026Michelle was extremely accommodating and had developed a presentation to match the information provided by our school. Very personized engaging and age appropriate. The students thoroughly enjoyed having Fairy Belle use her beautiful fairy wings to fly to our school for a visit and weave her storytelling magic!
Ironside State School - August, 2024I loved how relatable Michelle was for our students. She spoke about struggles she had during primary school and still achieved her goals as an author. This is so important for all our students to hear, especially our support students. Michelle seamlessly adapted her author talks to each year level and all students were engaged. The small group workshops were a hit also as Michelle was so encouraging and her tips and tricks were easy for any student to enact.
Caloundra State School - August, 2024Michelle was highly engaging and entertaining. She was a fabulous storyteller and the students loved getting involved in the stories. Her presentation was interactive and perfect for Preps and Year 2. She also did a poetry workshop for Year 2 students, which was very relevant to the work they were doing in class. She introduced a number of different poems to the students and then got them creating their own, which they presented in slam poetry style.
Eight Mile Plains State School - August, 2024Michelle enthralled our P-1 students with her sparkly humour (and shoes!). They say along with actions to the stories and wanted to know was there a real 'pink' owl (Hootie the Cutie)? Our Year 2 students engaged with Michelle as she walked them through her writing process - and came away with the beginnings of their next big story! Fabulous day!
The students of Years 3-6 had the pleasure of spending the day with Samantha Wheeler. Samantha spoke from the heart when she walked talked about her books, the topics, her research and the processes she follows. Our students went away enthused and very keen to borrow/buy her books! We would gladly welcome her back for future presentations and highly recommend her as a visiting author.
St Joseph's Primary School - August 2022
Ruby's Repair Cafe
The Bushranger's Daughter
Super Nicholas
The Wind and the Mouse
Johnny's Beard
Pugs Don't Wear Pyjamas
Glitch
The World's Worst Pirate
Malibu and The Naughty Elf
The Three Legged Kangaroo From Uluru
Noah Chases the Wind
The Wheelchair Adventure
Possum Games
Each the Same
The Bedtime Band
The Pink Pirate
Yellow Dress Day
Queensland
Speaker type
- Author
- Poet
- Motivational
Audience
- Preschool
- Prep - Year 2
- Year 3-6
- Year 7-9