Hello and Welcome!

Lisa Shanahan is a writer of picture books and fiction for young people. She loves moon-gazing, making up words, mock orange blossom, black cockatoos, hot cups of tea and shouts of unexpected laughter. When she is not writing, she can be found reading, tucked up on the lounge, with the weight of a scruffy dog resting on her knee. She feels incredibly grateful for the glorious magic of books. For all the ways stories, starting tiny as seeds, grow and unfold so high and wide, she can perch in their branches, finding shelter and shade.

'‘Hark, It's Me, Ruby Lee!’...is a consummate achievement in a picture book intended for young children. The storytelling is enlightening whilst being lively and playful, with rich vocabulary and child-friendly language.'

'Hark, It's Me, Ruby Lee!' - Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:06:37+00:00

'Hark, It's Me, Ruby Lee!' - Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

'‘Hark, It's Me, Ruby Lee!’...is a consummate achievement in a picture book intended for young children. The storytelling is enlightening whilst being lively and playful, with rich vocabulary and child-friendly language.'
'With an action-packed text, a whole host of lively characters - human and animal, spot-on dialogue and amusing, wonderfully detailed mixed media illustrations, this is both a visual and verbal treat of a tale.'

'Big Pet Day' - Jill R Bennett, Red Riding Hub

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:12:30+00:00

'Big Pet Day' - Jill R Bennett, Red Riding Hub

'With an action-packed text, a whole host of lively characters - human and animal, spot-on dialogue and amusing, wonderfully detailed mixed media illustrations, this is both a visual and verbal treat of a tale.'
'This book will enchant readers of all ages.'

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Junior Bookseller and Publishers, August 2009

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:13:56+00:00

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Junior Bookseller and Publishers, August 2009

'This book will enchant readers of all ages.'
'...Lisa Shanahan knows small children, their routines, loves and fears.'

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Australian Book Review

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:14:48+00:00

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Australian Book Review

'...Lisa Shanahan knows small children, their routines, loves and fears.'
'With fresh dialogue and believable characters, this is a richly layered, perceptive story revealing glimpse of deeper realities beneath the warmth and humour.'

'My Big Birkett' - Magpies, 3 July 2006

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:15:56+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Magpies, 3 July 2006

'With fresh dialogue and believable characters, this is a richly layered, perceptive story revealing glimpse of deeper realities beneath the warmth and humour.'
'Scenes truly memorable and moving, interspersed with rollicking and wacky humour. The end result is a wonderful and refreshing novel guaranteed to both make you laugh and be very moved.'

'My Big Birkett' - Viewpoint 14 (4), Summer 2006

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:17:16+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Viewpoint 14 (4), Summer 2006

'Scenes truly memorable and moving, interspersed with rollicking and wacky humour. The end result is a wonderful and refreshing novel guaranteed to both make you laugh and be very moved.'
'With amazing characters, a fun story, stunning illustrations and awesome themes, it’s a picture book all kids will adore.'

‘Hark, It’s Me, Ruby Lee!’ - Shaye Wardrop, Kids Book Review

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:18:13+00:00

‘Hark, It’s Me, Ruby Lee!’ - Shaye Wardrop, Kids Book Review

'With amazing characters, a fun story, stunning illustrations and awesome themes, it’s a picture book all kids will adore.'
'Shanahan is able to inhabit each character with a dose of reality, making each recognizable and endearing, prompting the reader to read to the end to see what happens to this particular group of people and in particular, Henry Hoobler.'

'The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler' - Fran Knight, Magpies

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:19:01+00:00

'The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler' - Fran Knight, Magpies

'Shanahan is able to inhabit each character with a dose of reality, making each recognizable and endearing, prompting the reader to read to the end to see what happens to this particular group of people and in particular, Henry Hoobler.'
'It is a joy and a privilege to read the writing of Lisa Shanahan and I always do a little happy dance whenever a new book by her lands on my desk. Whether writing picture book texts or young adult novels, Lisa Shanahan imbues warmth and gentle humour into her authentic stories and relatable characters...'

Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:20:22+00:00

Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily

'It is a joy and a privilege to read the writing of Lisa Shanahan and I always do a little happy dance whenever a new book by her lands on my desk. Whether writing picture book texts or young adult novels, Lisa Shanahan imbues warmth and gentle humour into her authentic stories and relatable characters...'
‘Subtitled ‘the sweet, terrible, glorious year, I truly, completely lost it’, it is truly a delight and will have high appeal for young teens – lots of humour, angst, a tragedy and a bittersweet conclusion.’

'My Big Birkett' - Children’s Publisher & Bookseller, May 2006

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:22:06+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Children’s Publisher & Bookseller, May 2006

‘Subtitled ‘the sweet, terrible, glorious year, I truly, completely lost it’, it is truly a delight and will have high appeal for young teens – lots of humour, angst, a tragedy and a bittersweet conclusion.’
‘This humorous but touching read for teens has plenty of laugh-aloud moments, a cast of endearingly zany characters, and an upbeat feel...it is a story about family loyalties, pride and fairness, told through the eyes of a girl who is on a steep learning curve about all of these things.’

'My Big Birkett' - Reading Time Vol 50 No 3

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:23:00+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Reading Time Vol 50 No 3

‘This humorous but touching read for teens has plenty of laugh-aloud moments, a cast of endearingly zany characters, and an upbeat feel...it is a story about family loyalties, pride and fairness, told through the eyes of a girl who is on a steep learning curve about all of these things.’
‘Australian picture-book author and middle-grade novelist Shanahan's first book for teens is an uproariously funny, surprisingly intense read; a savvy blend of sharp wit and weight.’

'My Big Birkett' - Publisher’s Weekly August 2007

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:24:17+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Publisher’s Weekly August 2007

‘Australian picture-book author and middle-grade novelist Shanahan's first book for teens is an uproariously funny, surprisingly intense read; a savvy blend of sharp wit and weight.’
‘This humorous but touching read for teens has plenty of laugh-aloud moments, a cast of endearingly zany characters, and an upbeat feel...it is a story about family loyalties, pride and fairness, told through the eyes of a girl who is on a steep learning curve about all of these things.’

'My Big Birkett' - Reading Time, Vol 50 No 3

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:24:54+00:00

'My Big Birkett' - Reading Time, Vol 50 No 3

‘This humorous but touching read for teens has plenty of laugh-aloud moments, a cast of endearingly zany characters, and an upbeat feel...it is a story about family loyalties, pride and fairness, told through the eyes of a girl who is on a steep learning curve about all of these things.’
‘This is ideal “book bait” for newly established readers itching to practise their skills.’

'Sweetie May' - Reading Time

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:25:26+00:00

'Sweetie May' - Reading Time

‘This is ideal “book bait” for newly established readers itching to practise their skills.’
‘‘Sweetie May Overboard!’ is a perfect book for newly independent readers, as well as being a fun book to read aloud...It does not patronise young readers, who surely deserve stories and language as interesting as Lisa Shanahan’s. Very highly recommended.’

'Sweetie May Overboard' - Sydney's Child, August 2001

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:26:03+00:00

'Sweetie May Overboard' - Sydney's Child, August 2001

‘‘Sweetie May Overboard!’ is a perfect book for newly independent readers, as well as being a fun book to read aloud...It does not patronise young readers, who surely deserve stories and language as interesting as Lisa Shanahan’s. Very highly recommended.’
‘...Lisa Shanahan knows small children, their routines, loves, and fears.’

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Australian Book Review

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:26:32+00:00

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Australian Book Review

‘...Lisa Shanahan knows small children, their routines, loves, and fears.’
‘This is a wonderful story about children who want a pet, and in particular, about Daisy who wants a dog. What happens when mum finally relents, and Ollie joins the family, makes for delightful reading with children of 3-10 years. The children will take in the message that living with a dog changes life for the entire family too.’

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Jane Croft Book Reviews

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:27:14+00:00

'Daisy and the Puppy' - Jane Croft Book Reviews

‘This is a wonderful story about children who want a pet, and in particular, about Daisy who wants a dog. What happens when mum finally relents, and Ollie joins the family, makes for delightful reading with children of 3-10 years. The children will take in the message that living with a dog changes life for the entire family too.’
‘This book will enchant readers of all ages.’

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Junior Bookseller and Publisher, August 2009

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:28:02+00:00

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Junior Bookseller and Publisher, August 2009

‘This book will enchant readers of all ages.’
'This book is a sheer delight.'

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Sydney's Child, October 2009

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:28:39+00:00

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Sydney's Child, October 2009

'This book is a sheer delight.'
'...a treat to read aloud.' (Highly recommended)

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Good Reading Magazine, December/January 2009

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:29:26+00:00

'Bear and Chook by the Sea' - Good Reading Magazine, December/January 2009

'...a treat to read aloud.' (Highly recommended)
‘A touching story with a fantastic feel-good factor...The story shows a wealth of warm relationships. It touches on the theme of grief very sensitively, and ends on an uplifting, emotional high. The illustrations are vibrant in colour and lively in action.’

'The Postman's Dog' - School Librarian, Autumn 2006

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:30:13+00:00

'The Postman's Dog' - School Librarian, Autumn 2006

‘A touching story with a fantastic feel-good factor...The story shows a wealth of warm relationships. It touches on the theme of grief very sensitively, and ends on an uplifting, emotional high. The illustrations are vibrant in colour and lively in action.’
‘...will not only delight young readers, but also cause adults to chuckle.’

'Daddy's Having a Horse' - Reading Time, February 2006

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:30:46+00:00

'Daddy's Having a Horse' - Reading Time, February 2006

‘...will not only delight young readers, but also cause adults to chuckle.’
‘Gordon’s got a what? The title alone will be enough to make you pick up this book, if the striking cover hasn’t already grabbed your attention. At the risk of giving the game away, Lisa Shanahan’s new picture book addresses in a light-hearted, humorous way such serious subjects as bullying, teasing and personal courage and integrity...’

'Gordon's Got a Snookie' - Children's Publisher and Bookseller, September 2002

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:31:29+00:00

'Gordon's Got a Snookie' - Children's Publisher and Bookseller, September 2002

‘Gordon’s got a what? The title alone will be enough to make you pick up this book, if the striking cover hasn’t already grabbed your attention. At the risk of giving the game away, Lisa Shanahan’s new picture book addresses in a light-hearted, humorous way such serious subjects as bullying, teasing and personal courage and integrity...’
'If you're looking for a great read which will appeal to preschoolers of all ages, a book with an excellent child appropriate moral which isn't the slightest bit cutesy, and a beautifully illustrated book which will be read again and again, without any strain on your part, Gordon's Got a Snookie is a winner.'

'Gordon's Got a Snookie' - Pre-School Entertainment Web Site

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:32:12+00:00

'Gordon's Got a Snookie' - Pre-School Entertainment Web Site

'If you're looking for a great read which will appeal to preschoolers of all ages, a book with an excellent child appropriate moral which isn't the slightest bit cutesy, and a beautifully illustrated book which will be read again and again, without any strain on your part, Gordon's Got a Snookie is a winner.'
‘A delightful romp for little kids, with wonderful sound words, and a playful look at different careers... the pictures are bright and full of action'

'Bear and Chook' - Magpies, March 2002

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:33:04+00:00

'Bear and Chook' - Magpies, March 2002

‘A delightful romp for little kids, with wonderful sound words, and a playful look at different careers... the pictures are bright and full of action'
'Subtly well observed…There is so much to love about this book. For starters, huge thumbs up for being a book that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in Lily's class...'

'Big Pet Day' - Read it Daddy A Children’s Book Blog

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:33:42+00:00

'Big Pet Day' - Read it Daddy A Children’s Book Blog

'Subtly well observed…There is so much to love about this book. For starters, huge thumbs up for being a book that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in Lily's class...'
‘There are a lot of pet books around, but Lisa Shanahan’s originality brings this popular topic freshness in her latest picture book Big Pet Day.’

'Big Pet Day' - Kidz Review Krew

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:34:12+00:00

'Big Pet Day' - Kidz Review Krew

‘There are a lot of pet books around, but Lisa Shanahan’s originality brings this popular topic freshness in her latest picture book Big Pet Day.’
‘With an action-packed text, a whole host of lively characters – human and animal, spot-on dialogue and amusing, wonderfully detailed mixed media illustrations, this is both a visual and verbal treat of a tale.’

'Big Pet Day' - Jill R Bennett, Red Riding Hub

Lisa Shanahan
2020-07-02T08:34:52+00:00

'Big Pet Day' - Jill R Bennett, Red Riding Hub

‘With an action-packed text, a whole host of lively characters – human and animal, spot-on dialogue and amusing, wonderfully detailed mixed media illustrations, this is both a visual and verbal treat of a tale.’
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