Awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award for her books by the International Literacy Association, nominated for the Astrid Ingrid Memorial Award 2019 and an Order of Australia for children’s literature, Susanne Gervay is recognized for her youth literature from pre-school to young adult novels on social justice. She engages young people in complex issues from multiculturalism, disability to peace.
The I Am Jack books are definitive novels on school bullying, adapted into an acclaimed play by Monkey Baa Theatre, touring Australian and US theatres.
Butterflies is recognized as outstanding youth literature on disability. Susanne’s picture books ‘demonstrate with great power that we can teach our children profound truths and timeless values.’ Professor of English, D.R. Pattanaik, Banaras Hindu University.
Her recent picture book The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses is endorsed by Good Vision for Life and Vision Australia is significant in the Vision2020 campaign.
She is an ambassador for Room to Read, Premiers’ Reading Challenge, Patron of Monkey Baa Theatre, Australia Day Ambassador, Regional Advisor of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Australia East & New Zealand, literacy and reading ambassador.