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Samantha Turnbull Writer, mother, anti-princess

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About

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Samantha Turnbull is the writer of the children’s podcast Fierce Girls (ABC, 2018), and the children’s book series The Anti-Princess Club (Allen & Unwin, 2015).

She specialises in stories that feature strong girls (but that doesn’t mean that boys can’t read them). No princesses. No damsels in distress. No fairies.

Sam is also a slam poet, and you can see one of her first-ever performances here.

Sam’s ‘day job’ is as a multimedia journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Books

The Anti-Princess Club was released by Allen & Unwin in March, 2015.

Visit The Anti Princess Club website here.

‘Finally! An engaging fiction series for girls that shows them there is more to life than wearing a tiara.’ – Mia Freedman

Ten-year-old best friends Emily, Bella, Grace and Chloe, thumb their noses at helpless fairytale princesses.

When the adults in their lives won’t stop treating them like damsels in distress, the girls form the Anti-Princess Club with the motto: ‘We don’t need rescuing!’

The first book in The Anti-Princess Club series: Emily’s Tiara Trouble

BOOK #1, Emily’s Tiara Trouble

It’s the last straw for maths whiz Emily Martin when her mother enters her in a local beauty pageant.

Emily and her three best friends form The Anti-Princess Club and set their first mission.

With their awesome talents combined, can they show the world that girls want to be valued for more than what they see in the mirror?

Book two in The Anti-Princess Club series: Bella’s Backyard Bullies

BOOK #2, Bella’s Backyard Bullies

The anti-princesses meet weekly in their treehouse headquarters – a masterpiece designed by artistic genius Bella Singh.

But after an angry anonymous email, followed by an attack on their meeting place, it’s time for a new Anti-Princess Club mission to bring down their mysterious enemies.

Can the anti-princesses find and beat the bullies?

Book Three in The Anti-Princess Club series: Grace’s Dance Disaster

BOOK #3, Grace’s Dance Disaster

Sports-mad Grace Bennett is ecstatic when her teacher arranges a training session with a famous football team.

When Grace arrives on the field, however, her role is not what she expected – and doesn’t even involve kicking a ball!

How can she and her anti-princess best friends teach their teachers that there’s more than one way to be a girl?

Book Four in The Anti-Princess Club series: Chloe’s River Rescue

BOOK #4, Chloe’s River Rescue

Science freak Chloe Karalis’s favourite person in the universe is her grandmother – and they’re both going on an awesome summer holiday with Chloe’s three anti-princess besties.

But when Yiayia goes missing on her morning walk, the foursome knows that they’re faced with their biggest mission yet.

Can they combine their unique talents and work together to rescue their beloved mentor?

Anti-Princess Club Book Five: Cruise Control

BOOK #5, Cruise Control

Maths whiz Emily Martin has won a place in a video game competition – on a cruise ship! And her best friends Bella, Grace and Chloe are with her all the way.

While onboard, the girls set themselves a few anti-princess missions: win the regatta, rescue the endangered turtle, prove that dolls can be more than pretty, and show the gamers that girls can compete – and win!

Can the anti-princesses work together to complete their missions, and maybe pick up some new members along the way?

Events

If you’re interested in booking Sam to speak at your school or event in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne, please contact Booked Out.

If you’re in Queensland, please contact Speakers Ink.

If you’re from a school in northern New South Wales, Sam regularly tours with the Byron Writers Festival StoryBoard program.

If you’re elsewhere in Australia or overseas, please email info@samanthaturnbull.com.au

You can also download the below brochure outlining some of what Sam can offer your school through workshops and talks (click on the thumbnail to open).

Brochure thumbnail

Sam has, so far, spoken to/run workshops with students from schools including: Byron Bay Public School, Somerset College, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, St Finbarr’s Primary School, Merriwa Central School, Lightning Ridge Central School, Bellingen Public School, Macksville Public School, Urunga Public School, Dorrigo Public School, Woolgoolga Public School, Raleigh Public School, Narranga Public School, Tyalla Public School, Murwillumbah Primary School, Goondiwindi State Primary School, St George State Primary School, Tuntable Falls Community School, Newcastle East Public School, Burnett State College, Nimbin Central School, Nyangatjatjara College, St Joseph’s Coraki, Blakebrook Public School, Rosebank Public School, Yamba Public School, Lismore Heights Public School, Southern Cross Public School, Tabulam Public School – AND MORE!