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Briony Stewart

ブライオニー・スチュアート

Buriony Sutowāto

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Subiaco, Western Australia
Nationality
Australia
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
Author, Illustrator
Active Years
2007-2025
Nominations
Shortlisted for Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood 2025 (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy...), Shortlisted for Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's literature 2025

Awards

Aurealis Award
2008
Work: Kumiko and the Dragon
Category: Best Children's Short Fiction
Organization: Aurealis Awards
Result: Winner
Queensland Literary Awards
2012
Work: Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers
Category: Children's Book
Result: Winner
Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book
2021
Work: We Love You Magoo
Category: Early Childhood
Organization: Children’s Book Council of Australia
Result: Honour Book
Prime Minister's Literary Awards
2022
Work: Mina and the Whole Wide World
Category: Children’s Literature
Result: Winner (joint)
Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood
2024
Work: Gymnastica Fantastica!
Category: Early Childhood
Organization: Children’s Book Council of Australia
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kumiko and the Dragon

2007 Children's Fiction

Fantasy adventure of Kumiko inspired by Japanese folktales and mythology.

FantasyJapanese Mythology

Kumiko and the Dragon's Secret

2010 Children's Fiction

Second book in the Kumiko series.

AdventureFantasy

Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers

2011 Children's Fiction

Final book in the Kumiko trilogy.

ShadowsFantasy

The Red Wheelbarrow

2012 Picture Book

Wordless picture book celebrating beauty in everyday moments, inspired by William Carlos Williams' poem.

Everyday LifeBeauty

Here in the Garden

2014 Picture Book

Gentle picture book about loss, grief, and acceptance experienced by a child.

LossGrowth

We Love You Magoo

2020 Picture Book

Picture book about a cheeky dog named Magoo.

FamilyPets

Gymnastica Fantastica!

2023 Picture Book

Vibrant picture book full of energy and life about gymnastics.

SportsJoy

Bibliography

  • Kumiko and the Dragon (2007)
  • Kumiko and the Dragon's Secret (2010)
  • Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers (2011)
  • The Red Wheelbarrow (2012)
  • Here in the Garden (2014)
  • We Love You Magoo (2020)
  • Where Are You Magoo (2021)
  • Gymnastica Fantastica! (2023)
  • Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (and Some Things You Didn't) (2024)
  • The Lion in Our Living Room (ill. 2017)
  • The Bear in Our Backyard (ill. 2018)
  • Nullabaoo Hullaballoo (ill. 2019)
  • Trouble in the Surf (ill. 2019)
  • Mina and the Whole Wide World (ill. 2021)
  • Accidentally Kelly Street (ill. 2022)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Vivid illustrationsEngaging storytelling
Recurring Motifs
Fantasy elementsMagic in everyday life

Legacy

Prominent Australian children's book author and illustrator known for the Kumiko series and picture books, with numerous awards.

In Popular Culture

  • Picture book selected for IBBY international silent books project

Trivia

  • Has two children.
  • Inspired by her Japanese grandmother.