Meeting the Sandcliffe Writers Festival Presenters – Schools: Gregg Dreise

 

Gregg Dreise is a gifted storyteller and musician, and he features the didgeridoo and guitar in his performances at schools and festivals. He is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Yuwalayaay people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales.

He is the award-winning author and illustrator of Silly Birds (winning awards and being showcased in Australia, Italy, U.K. and the U.S.A.); Kookoo Kookaburra (winning awards and being showcased in Australia and Germany); Mad Magpie (Longlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards 2017); and the soon to be released Why are you Smiling. All of these stories are about teaching morals. They address friendship, kindness, tempers and bullying.

Gregg is also the illustrator of Di Irving’s retelling of the classic story Tiddalik the Frog, and Elaine Ousten’s second megafauna picture book.

 

1. Have you been to the Sandcliffe Festival Before?

I have performed at schools and libraries in the area, however these are my first performances at Sandcliffe.

 

2. What are you looking forward to and how did you become involved in it this year?

I am looking forward to making some students giggle and some teachers learn some new things (maybe a giggle out of them too). I was approached through Speakers Ink.

 

3. What will you be doing for the festival ?

I perform story telling with the use of art, a guitar, didgeridoos, and really daggy dad jokes – sorry, but they are daggy 😛

 

4. If you could choose to be a favourite literary character, who would you be and why?

I would be Tintin. When I was in primary school, I enjoyed the adventures of a young brave guy.

 

You can find more information about Gregg on his website

www.greggdreise.com

 Lucas ProudFoot is  also visiting schools for the Sandcliffe Festival http://www.circularrhythm.com/

I wish Lucas and Gregg all the best for their wonderful work and in their visits to schools!