Vicki Bennett is a bestselling author of 35 books for adults and young people. Most of her books are internationally successful and have been published in numerous languages.
Her books include: Programme to Succeed, Mirrors - An Adventure into Ourselves, Take Me to My Garden, Mummy?, Making Dreams Come True, I've Read the Rules, Now How do I Play the Game, Life Smart, The Effective Leader, Signposts for Life, What Do Women Really Want?, The Book of Hope, The Little Stowaway, The Flying Angel, 100 Keys to Love, 100 Keys to Hope and The Promise. Charlie's War is her fifth children's ANZAC book co-created with Des Crump about his Uncle Charlie. This story is of a young Aboriginal boy's dream of shearing sheep which turns into reality. Then war breaks out in Europe. Despite initially not being able to enlist, he and his two best friends eventually sign up and their lives are changed forever.
'I fell upon writing in 1982.' Vicki said, 'my first visit to the United States found me at a conference in San Francisco, in a whirlwind of professional speakers where positive mental attitude was the currency of the day.
'Surrounded by the likes of Zig Zigler, Og Mandino and Jim Rohn, the questions most asked were; "So you're from Austria?" and, "Have you got a book?" "A book? No, do I need a book?" "Sure, you do, you gotta have a product."
'So on the thirty-six hour flight home, I put ten of my speeches together and voila: Programme to Succeed was born. This was self-published and sold over ten thousand copies, mainly at big conferences in Asia and America. Happily, my captive audiences bought this book voraciously.
'From that platform I found a literary agent and my next two books were shaped, I've Found the Keys, Now Where's the Car? and a children's book, Making Dreams Come True.
'After a grilling and lengthy editorial process, I asked my editor at that time, "How did you know that I could actually write this?" "I didn't," was her sanguine reply, "we just loved the title!"
'Even with twenty-three non-fiction books up my sleeve, I'm still learning to write. It's now in my blood, compulsive and compelling, my personal therapy. God I wish I had paid more attention to touch typing classes.
Contact: +61 411643500
Email: vicki@vickibennett.com.au
Websites:
www.lifesmartaustralia.com
www.vickibennett.com
:
:
:
$28.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
Illustrator: Debbie Taylor-Worley
Publisher: Windy Hollow
Price:$28.99
A young Aboriginal boy's dream of shearing sheep turns into reality. Then war breaks out in Europe. Despite initially not being able to enlist, he and his two best friends eventually sign up and their lives are changed forever.
This is author Vicki Bennett's fifth picture storybooks that introduce young children to the themes of WWI and WWII. Vicki's connection with WWI began as a little girl when her grandfather, William McCauley, told her about a friendship forged between him and an Indigenous solider who fought alongside him in the trenches at the Somme. When Des Crump first told Vicki about his Uncle Charlie, Vicki hoped that Charlie and William may have met somewhere on those battlefields of France.
Illustrator Debbie Taylor Worley is a Gamilaraay woman, currently residing on Bundjalung country. She has worked as an artist, illustrator, and educator, participating in numerous group and solo shows, facilitating workshops and creating public and community artworks. With a multidisciplinary practice, Taylor-Worley is known most widely for her clay and textile work. Preferencing natural and foraged materials that are connected to country and working within the landscape and directly on the ground, her work draws on ancestral and intuitive guidance, creating narratives that bridge bi-cultural divides. The themes of her work confront, recontextualise and decolonise colonial histories. " Charlie's War" is the fifth children's book Taylor-Worley has illustrated.
$24.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
Publisher: Boolarong Press
Price:$24.99
Papua New Guinea nurse Maiogaru Taulebona hid a wounded Australian airman in a cave, deep in the jungle near Milne Bay in World War 2. With two words, I promise, she was bound to the task of saving his life.
Hiding him in a canoe under a pile of vegetables, Maiogaru paddled him through Japanese occupied waters to safety. Her bravery was recognised when she was awarded the Royal Australia Air Force Loyalty Medal.
$24.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
Publisher: Boolarong Press
Price:$24.99
There are 100 Keys to Love in this exciting book for those seeking to find true love, who want to write their own story for an authentic relationship. The keys in each chapter are concise and clear messages to create positive, happy, and healthy relationships. Each key offers tools and skills for the future, giving direction and guidance on the journey of love, and shares insights to unlock true love and joy. If you want to take control of finding love and building relationships based on self-worth, this is the book for you.
$24.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
Illustrations: Tull Suwannakit
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Price:$24.99
After the return of her wounded father from WW1, a little girl had a dream to become a nurse. Marie Craig trained at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney and graduated in 1942. She joined the RAAF nursing service in 1943 and in early 1944, 15 nurses from the Royal Australian Air Force nursing service were handpicked for the 2nd unit of flying sisters who made up the No 2 MAETU. Nicknamed 'the flying angels', the unit was based in Papua New Guinea.
$29.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
The Book of Hope - Antidote for Anxiety reveals that we are more anxious now than ever before. Our in-built mechanism of fight or flight is now on high alert. Our immediate response environment of consistent stress, has turned into overwhelming anxiety that we soothe, avoid or numb.
Vicki shares a ground-breaking mindset for dealing with anxiety. Through her personal experience with anxiety, she offers practical tools to reconnect to a hopeful future.
Hope has many shapes - an innocent child, an open door, a new book on the bedside, a wallet returned to its owner, a new beginning or a fresh spring day. The Book of Hope will help readers to cultivate and foster this hope and reframe their relationship with anxiety.
Young adult fiction 9-12 year olds.
$19.99
Authors: Vicki Bennett & Oliver Orth
Oliver has been secretly training as a spy all his life. On an ordinary afternoon after school, he overhears two suspicious-sounding men talking about bacteria, AK47s, vicious dogs and a mysterious island. His grandmother takes off after them – proving to Oliver that she really is a spy. Oliver follows them; knowing that this is what he’s been preparing for all his life. When two men leap from a black van and abduct his grandmother, Oliver’s first big spy adventure begins. Showing great resolution and courage, Oliver is kidnapped, tied up, chased across a field by guard dogs snapping at his heels, catches a train, hires a taxi, rides a horse, is shot at with a machine gun, drives a boat and is hopelessly lost in the open sea.
He is brave and resourceful, but can he help his grandmother escape?
Vicki Bennett and her grandson Oliver Orth began their spy adventures after school when Oliver started talking about his inner life as a spy. They had so much fun with these stories, they decided to write this book with Vicki using her writing skills and Oliver using his spying skills. Creating stories about a boy his age who wants to be a spy was a great adventure for them both. This book is written for 9 – 12 year olds.
They are planning another book, Oliver’s Big Singapore Spy Adventure. Where Oliver visits his cousins for his tenth birthday, at least that’s what they tell his mother.
-He couldn't be left behind
$24.99
Author: Vicki Bennett
Illustrations: Tull Suwannakit
The Little Stowaway is set at the end of WW1 where a ragged, hungry little French orphan came out of the fog on a freezing cold Christmas night in 1918 and wandered into an Australian airmen's mess and his journey home began. Link to trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR_T2zOB_n8
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE for parents and grandparents, is author Vicki Bennett's 24th book. This is a visualisation Workbook and CD.
Sometimes children need a quiet space of their own where nothing goes wrong. By using their imagination, they can find this special place. Their favourite place may become any one of the seven visualisations: The Secret Garden, Library of Learning, Magic Cave of Friends, Rainforest Healing, The Beach and the Healing White Light, Flying in the Clouds, Pink Bubble. These can become positive places to solve problems, helping to put their young minds to rest.
Visualisation creates an environment for both adults and children to grow and to learn and engage their imaginations. Parents often say that after a busy day, going to the Secret Garden or Magic Cave of Friends with their child relaxes them and rejuvenates their sometimes flagging spirits, enabling them to spend quality time with their partner.
This is a workbook and CD for children and grown-ups to share.
Dreams Can Come True is beautifully illustrated by John Flitcroft, illustrator of Two Pennies, also by Vicki Bennett.
Vicki and her daughter Tammie, read the seven visualisations on the CD included with this book.
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE for teachers, is author Vicki Bennett's 24th book. This is a visualisation Workbook and CD.
Reading this book and using the CD can provide a valuable tool for learning for children.
There are seven visualisations: The Secret Garden, can be used for creative learning and problem solving. Library of Learning, can be used as part of the study program, to build confidence for schoolwork. Magic Cave of Friends, can be used when there is any disharmony between friends in a classroom. Rainforest Healing, is an excellent tool to use when children are feeling aggressive or disruptive. The Beach and the Healing White Light, is useful when children are sick or out of sorts. Flying in the Clouds, is best used to ignite the imaginations for a writing task. Pink Bubble is a very calming visualisation, it helps children to feel safe and secure.
These visualisations become positive places to solve problems, helping to put their young minds to rest.
This workbook also has a section on goalsetting, action and behaviour.
Dreams Can Come True is beautifully illustrated by John Flitcroft, illustrator of Two Pennies, also by Vicki Bennett.
Vicki and her daughter Tammie, read the seven visualisations on the CD included in this book.
Australian children rebuild a School in FranceAfter World War 1, a little boy called George, living in Victoria, Australia decides to work hard and raise two pennies to help build a school in Villers-Bretonneux, France. This town had been flattened by war and the school destroyed.
This is a powerful and poignant story about a little boy who, with courage, hope and perseverance, helped to build this school across the oceans.
A bond was forged between George and Villers-Bretonneux that was never broken.
George was one of many Victorian schoolchildren who raised money to build the Victoria School in France after World War 1. This is his story.
A moving story that outlines the wonderful relationship between Australia and Villers-Bretonneux, a relationship that has continued through the generations. Lorraine El Yabouri, Musée Franco-Australien, Villers-Bretonneux.
This delightful book reminds us that even the smallest effort can make a big difference. Patrick McIntosh, RSL Care Chairman.
Hope and perseverance are the overwhelming themes of author Vicki Bennett's latest book, Two Pennies. Emma Williams, Courier Mail.
I love that this little boy helps his dad and I love the pictures. Oliver Orth, 8 years old.
Two Pennies is an engaging tale of one person's contribution to repairing the damage that war creates. Sydney Morning Herald.
Click here to hear an interview with Vicki Bennett on Two Pennies (12 MB file).
Australian children rebuild a School in FranceAfter World War 1, a little boy called George, living in Victoria, Australia decides to work hard and raise two pennies to help build a school in Villers-Bretonneux, France. This town had been flattened by war and the school destroyed.
This is a powerful and poignant story about a little boy who, with courage, hope and perseverance, helped to build this school across the oceans.
A bond was forged between George and Villers-Bretonneux that was never broken.
George was one of many Victorian schoolchildren who raised money to build the Victoria School in France after World War 1. This is his story.
A moving story that outlines the wonderful relationship between Australia and Villers-Bretonneux, a relationship that has continued through the generations. Lorraine El Yabouri, Musée Franco-Australien, Villers-Bretonneux.
This delightful book reminds us that even the smallest effort can make a big difference. Patrick McIntosh, RSL Care Chairman.
Hope and perseverance are the overwhelming themes of author Vicki Bennett's latest book, Two Pennies. Emma Williams, Courier Mail.
I love that this little boy helps his dad and I love the pictures. Oliver Orth, 8 years old.
Deux Pennies is an engaging tale of one person's contribution to repairing the damage that war creates. Sydney Morning Herald.
Click here to hear an interview with Vicki Bennett on Two Pennies (12 MB file).
>
In Signposts for Life, international corporate trainer Vicki Bennett provides a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to fulfilling your potential and achieving success.
Using real life case studies and touching anecdotes, Vicki explains how to control negative thinking, communicate more effectively, enhance your relationships, visualise your success, let go of past hurts and much more.
Written in a fun and accessible style, Signposts for Life will inspire you to make simple yet highly effective changes to your thoughts, attitudes, daily routines and lifestyle that will build your self esteem and create new and exciting opportunities in your life.
Says Vicki: 'This book is written for those seeking direction, inspiration and abundance in life but are unsure how to find and embrace it. I write about how giving yourself great customer service is an act of bravery and how to give yourself this daily. I also explore one of life's great questions; do you really want a life partner? And offer practical suggestions on how to answer this.'
As well as plenty of new original material, Signposts for Life incorporates material from Vicki's previous books I've Found the Keys Now Where's the Car? And I've Read the Rules Now How Do I Play the Game?
This is a motivational leadership book that explores mind, body, spirit in the context of the work environment through nine easy steps.
A successful leader needs to access a wide range of strengths and skills. But the great quest of our age is about bringing balance into our lives. So how do we bring our professional and personal world into balance, and still provide effective leadership and management?
The Effective Leader focuses on the total person and offers ideas and understandings to apply to all aspects of life. Vicki Bennett and Ian Mathieson explore nine key challenges facing leaders today and argue that balance in life can be achieved systematically and purposefully. If we can successfully balance our mind, body and spirit we can also balance our work, family life and recreational pursuits.
The nine key chapters which explore the leadership challenge are:
This book will stimulate your thinking and give you creative and practical ideas to enhance your abilities as a leader, at work, in your family and your community organisations.
.
Life Smart is for young people aged 13-19 to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence. Written with awareness and understanding, this book provides sound advice on how to deal with the most pressing issues of these vital years - issues everybody experiences in their teens, including:
Written in a clear, accessible style and illuminated with quotes from wise and inspirational thinkers, Life Smart also describes practical activities to get teenagers thinking and acting positively. It empowers young people to not only make choices, but - by being true to themselves - to make the best choices.
Click here to hear an excerpt from Vicki's interview with Alan McGirvan about 'Life Smart'.
.
Signposts For Balance In Love And Work was written for the Japanese market designed for people learning English at medium competence (level 2 standard). It is written in simple, strong and beautiful English and is a valuable book for the English reader who likes a concise, easy-to-read and easy-to-access format. This book was first published in 2007 (IBC Publishing, Tokyo) and is now in its 6th print run.
There are 100 Signposts For Balance In Love And Work. Each signpost is a map for your future, giving you direction and guidance to assist in your life journey, helping to create personal achievement and satisfaction. The messages from each signpost will assist to develop a positive mindset and gives the reader ideas for living effectively in the 21st Century.
Each of the signposts gives valuable suggestions and tools to help the reader discover their own special talents, to be successful in their career, and to find happy relationships and love. The signposts can be read and as a book or taken in one at a time, absorbed as daily meditation.
If you want to find greater control of finding success, love, and happiness in all areas of your life, read or listen to Signposts For Balance In Love And Work.
.
Signposts For Balance In Love And Work was written for the Japanese market designed for people learning English at medium competence (level 2 standard). It is written in simple, strong and beautiful English and is a valuable book for the English reader who likes a concise, easy to read and easy to access format. This book was first published in 2007 (IBC Publishing, Tokyo) and is now in its 6th print run.
There are 100 Signposts For Balance In Love And Work. Each signpost is a map for your future, giving you direction and guidance to assist in your life journey, helping to create personal achievement and satisfaction. The messages from each signpost will assist to develop a positive mindset and gives the reader ideas for living effectively in the 21st Century.
Each of the signposts gives valuable suggestions and tools to help the reader discover their own special talents, to be successful in their career, and to find happy relationships and love. The signposts can be read and as a book or taken in one at a time, absorbed as daily meditation.
If you want to find greater control of finding success, love, and happiness in all areas of your life, read Signposts For Balance In Love And Work.
.
Our friend Robbie Morrow gave us a game for Christmas called Diplomacy. He told us about a young engaged couple, Sonya and Allan who, after a lively dinner party, decided to play the game with two other couples.
The game comes in a box which explains it as a game of skill in which negotiation, rather than chance, guides destinies of international politics. Up to seven players each seek to gain control of Europe. It is described as 'an exciting game of wits'.
They all read the rules and began. Sonya and Allan are very enthusiastic. They loved the idea of negotiating, of matching wits, and the thrilling possibility of out-maneuvering the other players.
Each person plays individually - which is apparent from the rules. But Sonya and Allan played as allies, and bounced off one another to make more winning moves and maneuvers. All was fine - until Allan out-maneuvered Sonya by not telling her what he was going to do.
Sonya was furious. She said that Allan was not playing by the rules, not following the 'guidelines', whereas in fact he was. It says in the rules that you can make deals with other players - and break them, too. The primary objective of the game is for one person to win at all costs. And Allan had won. But Sonya could not believe that he had set her up that he had lied to her, even in a game. She was incensed. She spent the night ranting and raving about how awful Allan was to do such a terrible thing.
Their friends were surprised about Sonya's reaction, but thought she would get over it and remember that it was just a game after all.
Allan was very surprised to find on arriving home from work the next afternoon that Sonya had packed up and left him. The note was simple, 'I'm leaving. I couldn't possibly live with, or marry a man who lies to me, even in a game. It's over, goodbye'.
Pretty extreme? They had both read the rules, but they had interpreted them differently. Each was, in fact, playing a quite different game, and now it was over. They are both playing with different partners now.
Do you think you know what's expected of you at work or in a social situation only to find that everyone else seems to be playing the game by different rules - or no rules at all?
In this book, Vicki Bennett takes a fresh look at the game of life and gives us new ways to look at the old rules with sound, practical advice and warm good humour that draws on her human understanding, communication skills and broad experience as a successful trainer.
Drawing on real-life experiences, she shows:
How to set your own standards and live a life that will give you personal fulfillment, happiness and success.
.
This is a book for children and grown-ups to share. Children have goals, just as adults do. It may be to ride a bike, do well at school or play in a special team. This book of easily understood visualisations and simple practical exercises is suitable for children of all ages
Drawing on her own practical experience working with children, Vicki Bennett shows how you can help children draw on their own unique resources for visualisation and setting and achieving goals.
Visualisation is valuable process for children as:
Making Dreams Come True includes notes for parents and teachers on how to use the book, simple visualisation exercises and a complete section on setting and achieving goals, set out in a clear step-by-step way.
.
Authors Vicki Bennett and Ian Mathieson asked over 200 women: 'What Do Women Really Want?' From their discussions came this amazing book: loaded with stories and experiences from women and interwoven with comments, advice and suggestions. This website will stimulate your thinking and give you a taste of the book and some great questions to ask yourself.
.