Kiri Lightfoot is an author of children’s and young adult books from Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand). She aspires to write stories with humour, heart, and hope.
Kiri's debut YA novel 'Bear' is available now. Recommended for readers 12+.
What would you do if you came face to face with what you fear most? This story is about self-acceptance, finding hope and asking for help.
BOOKS
Bear
Jasper Robinson-Woods is struggling. His name is too long, his mum’s boyfriend is irritating, he barely sees his dad, and worst of all, he’s haunted by a terrifying nightmare that won’t let him sleep. With his mind swirling with catastrophic thoughts, Jasper wonders if they’re warnings of something even worse to come. The only place he finds peace is the tree in his front yard.
But then the unthinkable happens—his nightmare comes to life and follows him to school. It’s time for Jasper to confront his nightmare and everything it represents. Bear is a deeply moving yet often very funny novel that proves even when you hit rock bottom, you never know what—or who—might be there to help you back up.
Winner of the 2024 Storylines Tessa Duder YA Award
"Wonderfully fresh and engaging."
-Tessa Duder
"Tender and wickedly humorous – such an important story."
- Karen Foxlee
(bestselling author of Lenny's Book of Everything)
Ming's Iceberg
Ming is a daring young penguin with a curiosity about where the ocean meets the sky. Determined to uncover the mystery, she boldly hops onto an iceberg as it breaks away from the Antarctic ice and sets off on an exciting journey. Along the way, she encounters an albatross and a majestic blue whale who help her when her iceberg begins to melt. This beautifully illustrated tale features a spirited heroine and the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).
Ming's Iceberg - National Library of New Zealand - pick for best children's and YA books published in 2021.
Every Second Friday
Every second Friday, Margi (6 and a half) and Totty (4 and three-quarters) pack their bags and head to their dad’s delightfully cluttered house. A true collector of "bits and bobs," Dad’s world is a whirlwind of excitement and chaos, offering the children an unforgettable adventure each time they visit. This heartwarming story celebrates the special bond between a father and his children, even when they don’t live together all the time.
Finalist in the 2009 New Zealand Children's Book Awards.
Kiri Lightfoot was born in Exeter, England, but has spent most of her life in Aotearoa/New Zealand. One of three children, Kiri has always loved books—both reading them and being read to. She continued to enjoy picture books well into her twenties (and beyond) and was even known to take babysitting jobs just so she could read through the kids’ book collections once they were asleep.
Over the years, she has worked in a sports shop, written scripts for children's television, and performed as an actor on both stage and screen. Her love of storytelling deepened while working with Massive Theatre Company, where actors often developed performances based on their own stories. This experience taught Kiri how to find the heart of human stories, create complex characters, and explore themes that resonate with audiences. Writing books was always a dream, and her first picture book, Every Second Friday, tells the story of two children navigating life with separated parents and two homes—a story inspired by her own family.
Her debut novel, Bear, explores the challenges of single-parent and blended families, as well as struggles with mental health and anxiety. Kiri was inspired to write this story after years of volunteering as a Youthline counsellor in her early twenties. Bear won the Storylines New Zealand Tessa Duder YA Award for 2024. She is currently working on a middle-grade novel for readers aged nine and up.
Kiri lives in Auckland with her three children and her partner, Damon, a filmmaker and writer. She plays football, coaches her son’s team, and does poetry readings in aged care facilities with Active Arts. She also writes poetry but is a little shy about sharing it. Kiri loves nature, swimming in the ocean, playing board games with her family, and—one day—hopes to finally read the growing stack of books piling up next to her bed (Yeah right, the pile will just keep growing!). If you’d like to know more, she is a (fairly) open book, so feel free to get in touch!
ABOUT
WINNER 2024
Tessa Duder Award for YA
SCHOOL VISITS
I love visiting schools to present to children of all ages. Because I write picture books and YA , I can talk to all year levels. Ming’s Iceberg explores issues around Antarctica and climate change. Every Second Friday talks about family, and how they come in all sorts of shapes in sizes. Bear discusses themes of mental health, anxiety and anger and I worked in youth mental and advocacy so am passionate about talking about these issues.
I also love to talk to children about my love of books and storytelling and how important creativity is for us! I also love sharing about the process of getting a book published and what it’s like to work with publishers and illustrators.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss me visiting your school. I live in central Auckland.
