Anna Branford


Anna Branford is an author of children's books, known for her Violet Mackerel early chapter books. She is also a doll maker and teaches sociology at Victoria University.

Biography

Branford was born in 1975 on the Isle of Man and spent her childhood there, as well as in Sudan, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. She presently lives in Melbourne.

Awards and honours

Four of Branford's books are Junior Library Guild selections: Violet Mackerel’s Remarkable Recovery, Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space, Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend, and Violet Mackerel’s Pocket Protest.
YearTitleAwardResultRef.
2011Violet Mackerel's Brilliant PlotChildren's Book Council of Australia Award for Younger Readers Book of the YearHonour
2012Neville No-PhoneChildren's Book Council of Australia Award for Younger Readers Book of the YearNotable
2012Violet Mackerel's Brilliant PlotCybils Award for Early Chapter BooksFinalist
2012Violet Mackerel’s Natural HabitatChildren's Book Council of Australia Award for Younger Readers Book of the YearNotable
2013Violet Mackerel’s Natural HabitatCybils Award for Early Chapter BooksFinalist
2013Violet Mackerel’s Personal SpaceChildren's Peace Literature Award for Junior ReadersShortlist
2013Violet Mackerel’s Personal SpaceAustralian Family Therapists’ Awards for Young Readers/Picture Book AwardWinner
2014Violet Mackerel's Possible FriendChildren's Book Council of Australia Award for Younger Readers Book of the YearShortlist
2014Violet Mackerel's Possible FriendCybils Award for Early Chapter BooksFinalist
2017Lilli-Pilli's SisterREAL Award for Picture Story BooksShortlist

Publications

Standalone books

  • Sophie's Salon, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini
  • Neville No-Phone, illustrated by Kat Chadwick
  • Lilli-Pilli's Sister, illustrated by Linda Catchlove

    Lily the Elf series

The Lily the Elf books are illustrated by Lisa Coutts and published by Walker Books.
  1. The Midnight Owl
  2. The Precious Ring
  3. The Wishing Seed
  4. The Elf Flute
  5. The Jumble Sale
  6. ''The Sleepover''

    Violet Mackerel series

The Violet Mackerel books are illustrated by Elanna Allen
  1. Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot
  2. Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery
  3. Violet Mackerel's Natural Habitat
  4. Violet Mackerel's Personal Space
  5. Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend
  6. Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest
  7. Violet Mackerel's Helpful Suggestion
  8. ''Violet Mackerel's Formal Occasion''