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ImageKathryn Apel (short vowel ‘a’ sound; a well, a bell, Apel) is a born-and-bred farm girl who’s scared of cows. She lives among the gum trees, kangaroos and cattle on a Queensland grazing property. Kat paints pictures with words, because much as she’d love to, Kat can’t draw. She loves pumping poetry because she can flex her muscles across other genres, to bend (and break) writing rules. A trained teacher and literacy consultant, Kathryn shares her passion for words at schools and festivals.

Kat was the 2019/2020 Primary Judge of the prestigious Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Kathryn specialises in poetry workshops for kids and adults – and staff professional development sessions across grades and curriculum areas.

Click the tabs to find out more about The Kat’s Whiskers and her words. Read about Kat’s Books, with links  reviews, interviews, and the option to Buy Books. Download Kids’ Stuff activities for home & classroom use – with even more for teachers (including Teachers’ Notes) in  School Stuff. There are tabs specific to Kat’s books – and so much more! (Kat will always be a teacher at heart, and loves to inspire creativity in kids. And make your role as parents and educators easier!)

Kathryn is the grateful recipient of a 2018 and 2024 May Gibbs Creative Time Fellowship in Adelaide.

Kat’s new book with Scholastic Australia, illustrated by the amazing Beau Wylie, is OUT NOW!

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Information and images on this website are copyright Kathryn Apel. Not to be reposted or published without prior written permission.

Curlew Question

In a recent blog post, Ruth was talking about the American Birding Association’s Bird of the Year for 2025 – the common loon. She mentioned that it’s the spooky sound effect often heard in movies (I’d always thought it was a wolf!) – and at the time I was reminded of our bush stone-curlew – … Continue reading →

Recipe for a Friendship – a Trimeric

The trimeric is a wonderful form of poetry to explore an idea; to build on a flow of words, something like a wave surge in an ocean. They’re almost like an essay in poetry format – without the conclusion. This is one I wrote inspired by a dear friend’s recent move. Whilst initially written for … Continue reading →

Reigning Cats (And Dogs) – Poetry Friday Round-up

Hello. Welcome to Poetry Friday – and to my blog. It’s my first post for the new year – and first Poetry Friday hosting for far too long. To get the conversation going, I thought I’d share some pics and a poem about cats… and dogs. Because who doesn’t love our little furry friends?   … Continue reading →

Missed-err Lister

This poem is a bit silly. Not inspired by any brothers I know.🤭 (Not even my sons’.🤣) I hope it brings a smile. MISSED-ERR LISTER If Santa’s special sack of toys is for the ‘goodest’ girls and boys, then how is it my pesky brother is on that list – and not the other? © … Continue reading →

Sheep and Straw – a Lai

This year I am trying to soak in the celebration and miracle of Christmas for the month of December. Not just an overwhelming rush at the finish. And what better way to stay in a moment of joy, than through poetry? Sheep and Straw   “No room,” says innkeep. Stable bed dirt cheap; fresh straw. … Continue reading →

My May Gibbs Creative Time Residential Fellowship

September has been and gone – but what a wonderful month it was! I sure was hanging out for my May Gibbs creative time – feel like I’d been on countdown all year! Not just for the writing time, but the community of writers. I have needed everything about this Fellowship, this year! I arrived … Continue reading →