Meet the Authors and Illustrators Behind Children’s Ebooks

ANNE GARTON

Founder | Author | Educator

Children's Ebooks was founded in 2007 after a friend suggested that Australian author Anne Garton promote her beautifully illustrated classic children’s books online. Since then,

Children's Ebooks has grown into a trusted collection of best-selling ebooks for children, enjoyed by young readers across Australia and beyond.

Anne trained as a science and social science teacher more than 40 years ago at Rusden Victoria College (now Deakin University). She currently works as a Special Education teacher at Craigslea State High School in Brisbane, Queensland.

Throughout her extensive teaching career, Anne has written and co-authored numerous science textbooks for primary and secondary students while developing her Children's Ebooks as a creative passion project—when she isn’t playing golf.

Anne began teaching at Killester College in Springvale, Victoria, where she worked for nine years before travelling to London, England. While in London, she worked as a nanny and tutored science for the General Certificate of Education. It was during this time that she began writing science textbooks.

After returning to Australia, Anne accepted a position as Double Helix Science Officer with CSIRO in Indooroopilly, Queensland, while continuing to write a science series for Heinemann (Pearson).

In 1996, she returned to Victoria as Science Coordinator at Gleneagles College in Endeavour 

Hills. However, drawn back by the Queensland sunshine, she soon relocated permanently to Brisbane, becoming Head of Science at Aspley State High School.

After marrying and having two children, Anne stepped away from her full-time leadership role

 and moved into part-time teaching at Earnshaw College in Banyo before joining Craigslea in 2006.

With decades of experience in education, curriculum writing, and literacy development, Anne creates children’s ebooks that are relatable, inspiring, and written for a wide range of ages and abilities. Her stories focus on resilience, imagination, confidence, and the everyday experiences children understand and love.

Other Titles by Anne Garton

Secondary Series

Science Moves 1–4 and Science Moves Teacher Resource Books 1–4
Rigby Heinemann Australia Pty Ltd

Science Essentials 1–3 and Science Essentials Teacher Resource Books 1–3
Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd

Science for Life 1–4 and Science for Life Teacher Resource Books 1–4
Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd

Primary Series

Science in the Classroom 1–3
Oxford University Press Australia Pty Ltd

Livewire Investigates Series:
Natural Resources, The Space Race, Our Solar System, Ecosystems, The Changing Earth, Genetic Engineering
Cambridge University Press Australia Pty Ltd

 

DEREK GARTON

Illustrator | Author

Derek Garton began illustrating for Children's Ebooks when his daughter, Anne, asked for his help. The first children’s ebook he illustrated was The Wetlands.

Born in England, Derek began his career as a commercial artist, drawing detailed ‘exploded’ views of agricultural machinery for technical publications. After serving in the Royal Air Force, he left the art industry to study business management before emigrating to Australia with his wife and twin daughters. He continued his management career until retirement.

Artwork had become an occasional hobby until Anne invited him to illustrate The Wetlands. Honoured by the opportunity, Derek went on to illustrate Gypsy and Hotham, My Queensland, and The Bicycle. He has also written and illustrated A Day Out at Phillip Island and Fantastic Aussie Fauna.

Derek hopes that children and parents enjoy his illustrated ebooks as much as he loved creating them.

CAILIN CARRIER

Illustrator

Cailin Carrier completed Year 12 in 2007, studying art, chemistry, biology, Maths B, English, and sport. With a strong passion for art, she eagerly accepted Anne’s invitation to illustrate a children’s story.

Originally from Melbourne, Cailin moved to Queensland with her family in 1999. She attended Eatons Hill State School and later Genesis Christian College, where she completed numerous art projects, including murals and commissioned paintings.

Cailin went on to study a Bachelor of Health Science at QUT Kelvin Grove, qualifying as a paramedic. Her travels later took her to Canada, where she currently lives and works while continuing her artistic pursuits.

Mr Nobody’s Here was the first children's ebook Cailin illustrated, showcasing her exceptional artistic talent. Her follow-up illustrated children’s book, The Footballer, is equally stunning.

 

LEIGH BROWN

Illustrator | Designer

From an early age, Leigh Brown was fascinated by picture books, graphic storytelling, and illustrated history texts. Influences such as Asterix, Kimba, and Astro Boy sparked a lifelong passion for illustration.

At school, Leigh often spent more time illustrating book report covers than writing the content. His creative path led him through photography, graphic design, and multimedia, with illustration always at the heart of his work.

Leigh has illustrated Backyard Cricket and Patchy Scratchy for Children's Ebooks and has worked with educational publishers, combining storytelling with engaging visual design.

 

REBECCA HUGHES

Illustrator

Rebecca Hughes’ love of books began at age five, when her mother took her to the local library for her very first book. She chose a Spike Milligan children’s book featuring a very hairy cat’s bottom on the cover—because it made her laugh. That moment sparked a lifelong love of art, books, and humour.

Rebecca has illustrated The Bully, The Skier, and The Planets for Children's Ebooks, bringing warmth, character, and personality to each story.