Dub Leffler is an illustrator, writer, animator and mixed media artist, working in the arts through books, film, television, muralism and art education. ... He is a prominent children’s book illustrator and author, collaborating with Sally Morgan, Banksy, Coral Vass and others, and is known for his soft realistic portraits and emotional landscapes. He is descended from the Bigambul and Mandandanji people of southwest Queensland as well as being of French, Syrian and Irish heritage. ... His award-winning bestseller picture book Once There Was a Boy (2011) received international recognition, was acquired by the Library of Congress and was featured several times at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. More recently, Leffler illustrated Sorry Day (2018), written by Coral Vass, which won the 2019 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books from the CBCA. Black Cockatoo (2018), which he illustrated, was also an Honour Book that year. At last count, Dub has created 25 books. (Source Dub Leffler)
In 2011 Dub Leffler spoke with Kids' Book Review about his work
Here are the two pieces Dub Leffler has generously donated for our IBBY Australia online Mini Masterpiece art auction:
From Rocky and Louie (see book cover below)
From Sorry Day (see book cover below)
And here are some of his books (all of which are sure to be in your local or school library):
Our Dreaming was submitted for the CBCA awards in 2022. Here are some judge's comments (I was one of the judges):
I do hope there will be an audio version of this or perhaps a video version so children can hear the Gundungurra words. The illustrations in this book add a gentle mood and beautifully compliment the wisdom of the text. The lines “it is our identity, purpose and responsibility to our community” are so powerful. The dedication by Dub Leffler is wonderful and would be a perfect way to begin a discussion about this book with a group of students. This book will show readers the importance of respecting and sharing dreaming stories. The reader is taken on a gentle journey of discovery too, with Gundungurra words used in such a natural way. The word list and pronunciation guide will give Non indigenous readers an opportunity to engage with and learn new words. Dub Leffler’s illustrations are perfect, drawn in muted, earthy tones, that also reflect the colours of the land. His work has a lightness of touch. Some pages are almost tactile.
From the delicate watercolour/mixed media illustrations to the gentle tone of this almost sacred poem this book calls the reader into it ... Saunders has captured this voice, and Leffler generously invites us in. The production of this book including artistic endpapers that are like watching an orchestra tune up, matte buff stock, a text type which echoes the transparent nature of the watercolour images and a cover sprinkled with foil stars/ make this a book to be proud of.
I really love how the Indigenous words are integrated seamlessly into the English text to create this bilingual celebration of culture – and I fully appreciate the glossary and pronunciation guide at the back. The Australian life depicted in the illustrations are wonderfully realistic ... we get different views – some close ups, some long shots, some birds’ eye views – to get a real sense of place. It’s refreshing that the central characters are echidnas; a perfect choice for this slow and contemplative journey across the land. This is a book that will enrich readers’ experiences and understandings – of Indigenous culture, history, and language.
Dub also has an illustration in this book:
The Bicycle (2011) features separate illustrations from internationally acclaimed artists - including Quentin Blake, Shaun tan, Tony Ross and Freya Blackwood - which celebrate the liberating joy of two wheels. Read this from Kids' Book Review
In 2020 Dub Leffler created our IBBY Australia New Year greeting card which was shared with the 85 sections of IBBY.
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