Phil Cummings
Reading is Important
‘I recall my childhood growing up as the youngest of eight children in a country town and the doors that were opened up to me as I developed my skills in literacy and numeracy. There weren’t many books available to me but the ones I managed to find I loved and read over and over and over again. One of those, which remains a favourite, is The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien.
These life-long learning skills have helped me to explore many opportunities, pathways and possibilities. Now as a writer for children, and as an ambassador, I am happy to play a small part in opening those doors for others.’
Fact File
My worst injury
I broke my leg in three places when I was ten. OUCH!
My favourite movie
It’s an old one called It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart.
The funniest thing that has ever happened to me
A child on one of my school visits tugging at my leg to see if I was real – he had been told he was going to meet a REAL LIVE author – He wanted to be sure I wasn’t a dummy!
My favourite colours
Blue
My hero and why
My mum, for raising eight children!
My favourite possession
Original illustrations from my first published book Goodness Gracious! It was illustrated by Craig Smith, a great South Australian!
If I wasn’t doing my current job I would like to be
A teacher
The most important things in life
My family
My Ambassador Reading Tip
Run, play, read and write
from the time you rise …..
……. ’til you sleep at night!
Other Information
Phil Cummings is the author of over a hundred books for children, from picture books to novels. Phil has received numerous awards, both in Australia and overseas, for his books including Children’s Book Council of Australia honours, shortlisting for the Adelaide Festival of Arts Literary Awards and the Prime Ministers Literary Awards. His book BOY (illustrated by Shane Devries) won the Children’s Peace Literature Award in 2017.
Phil’s books have been published extensively overseas, with BOY recently being named an outstanding book for children with disabilities by the International Board of Books for Young People in Basel, Switzerland. His book Newspaper Hats (illustrated by Owen Swan) was recently awarded the French Chronos Prize for Alzheimer’s Literature.
Phil has also written musicals for schools and songs for school choirs with arranger composer, Glyn Lehman. Phil and Glyn have also created shows for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra including ‘Space Race’ in 2019 (a suite of songs telling the story of the Space Race in the sixties, featuring Phil’s book Touch the Moon) and Joe and the Stars (based on Phil’s books Joe and the Stars and Through the Smoke). To see the music video and hear Phil performing one of the songs he wrote for the orchestra click on the You Tube link. https://youtu.be/urqKXIyXewg
Phil’s most popular titles include the bestselling:
‘Danny Allen was here’ ( Pan Macmillan) – a novel based on Phil’s childhood in country SA.
‘ANZAC Biscuits’, illustrated by Owen Swan, (Scholastic Press)
‘Ride, Ricardo Ride!’ illustrated by Shane Devries, (Omnibus Scholastic)
‘Newspaper Hats,’ illustrated by Owen Swan, (Scholastic Press)
‘Feathers’, illustrated by Phil Lesnie, (Scholastic Press)
‘Through the Smoke’, illustrated by Andrew MacLean, (Scholastic Press)
‘Echidna Jim went for a Swim’, illustrated by Laura Wood, (Scholastic Press)
‘Touch the Moon’, illustrated by Coral Tulloch, (Allen and Unwin)
‘The Hip Hop Barn’, illustrated by Mandy Foot, (Little Book Press)
‘Joe and the Stars’, illustrated by Connah Brecon, (Scholastic Press).
Phil’s latest releases are:
‘Footprint’, illustrated by Sally Soweol Han, (Allen and Unwin)
‘The Hidden Hat’, illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith, (Scholastic Press)
‘Good Gnus!’, illustrated by Darren Parton, (Scholastic Press).
Phil has two new books due for release in 2025 and a number of other works (including a new novel due for release in 2026) presently in production.
For more detailed information on Phil’s books and career go to: www.philcummings.com
