Symbolism, the language of feet and depicting difficult scenes: an interview with Dub Leffler

From his childhood to school workshops to a particular Fleetwood Mac album cover, award-winning writer/illustrator Dub Leffler talks to the The Read-Aloud Home about the many things that impact his work. Find some of Dub's work on my Instagram @thereadaloudhome

Books and humans mentioned:

• Sally Morgan (author)
• Banksy (artist)
• Coral Vass (author)
• Leah Purcell (actor, playwright, director, novelist)
• Once there was a boy (2011) by Dub Leffler
• Library of Congress
• Sorry Day (2018) by Coral Vass, illustrated by Dub Leffler
• Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister (2007-2010 and briefly in 2013)
• The Drover's Son (2026) by Leah Purcell, illustrated by Dub Leffler.
• Quirindi (regional town in Australia)
• Caroona Aboriginal Mission
• Dick Roughsey (author/artist)
• Cathie Tasker
• The Quinkins (1978) by Dick Roughsey
• Childcraft: The How And Why Library (Stories and Fables) [volume 2] (1976)
• Koori Radio, Sydney
• Margaret Cossey
• Indij Readers
• The Dreaming Series
• Laughing Zebras Animation
• Mark Rothko (artist)
• Henri Rousseau (artist)
• Tango in the Night by Fleetwood Mac
• The Eagles
• Clyfford Still (artist)
• Walking Together (2025) by Coral Vass, illustrated by Dub Leffler
• Shirley Hughes (author/illustrator)
• John J Muth (author/illustrator)
• Trevor Jamieson (stage and film actor)
• Story Box
• Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister 2007-2010, 2013)
• Vik Muniz
• Vik Muniz Ted Talk
• Bruce Pascoe (writer)
• Harlyn Geronimo
• Geronimo
• Buzz Aldrin
• Tony Birch (author/academic/activist)
• Library of Congress, Young Adventurers: 2015 National Book Festival
• Jared Thomas (author)
• Bear and Rat (2021) by Christopher Cheng, illustrated by Stephen Michael King
• Big Nuisance (2001) by Junko Morimoto
• My Hiroshima (1987) by Junko Morimoto
• The Two Bullies (1997) by Junko Morrimotto
• Flotsam (2006) by David Weisner
• Art and Max (2010) by David Weisner
• Each Peach Pear Plum (1987) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• **please note that during this talk we discussed Junko Morimoto and upon researching into Junko after the episode I read that sadly she died in 2017. Junko is one of my favourite author/illustrators and I have no doubt her stories and illustrations will be with my children and many other children for the rest of their lives.

More from Dub:

• "Soar" Dub's (new book that will be out in 2026)
• @DubLeffler
• dublefflerillustrator.com