Bio

Libby Gleeson has written twenty-six books for children, including Half a World Away, illustrated by Freya Blackwood, and The Great Bear, illustrated by Armin Greder, which won the Bologna Ragazzi prize. Her books were shortlisted for the Australian Children's Book Council Book of the Year Award, eleven times. Most recently, Gleeson received the Minister for Education's Award for Meritorious Service for Public Education.

Half a World Away is the story about Amy and Louie, and how they keep their friendship alive, despite the fact that Amy moves far away. "The story followed a real story," states Gleeson. "A small boy was standing in his backyard and calling a loudly as possible to attract his friend, although the friend had actually moved away."

Libby Gleeson lives with her family in Sydney, Australia