Coral Vass has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, and it’s a passion that has shaped both her life and her career. An award-winning children’s author with more than 30 published books to her name, Coral calls the Mornington Peninsula home; it is where she lives with her husband and their four children. Alongside writing, she is also an ambassador for Reading Out of Poverty, a cause that’s especially close to her heart. Coral is passionate about making sure every child has the chance to discover the joy of reading and also feel empowered to tell their own stories.
A big part of Coral’s work involves visiting schools around Australia, where she shares her love of books and storytelling with students of all ages. She regularly runs writing workshops that encourage young people to think creatively and explore where ideas come from.
“One of my favourite things is talking to students about how stories begin,” Coral says. “I love sharing the inspiration behind some of my books and showing students that their own ideas and experiences can become stories too.”
The inspiration for her latest picture book, Skipping to Sammy’s Beat, came after Coral read a quote by philosopher Henry David Thoreau: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”
The quote stayed with her and sparked the idea for a story about individuality, self-acceptance, and celebrating what makes each of us unique.
“I wanted to write a story which reminded children that it’s okay to be different,” Coral explains. “I think it’s so important for kids to feel comfortable being themselves, and accepting others for who they are too.” She says the message still connects strongly with the well-loved words of Dr. Seuss: “Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive that is you-er than you.”
Coral’s understanding of feeling “different” comes from her own childhood experiences. Although she was born in Sydney, she spent many of her early years living in Bangladesh. As a blonde-haired, fair-skinned child growing up among her Bengali friends, she was very aware of standing out. But when her family later moved back to Australia, she found herself feeling different all over again; this time because of her overseas experiences and the challenge of fitting into a new school environment.
Now, as a mother herself, Coral has seen firsthand how much pressure children can face as they grow up. Living and raising her family on the Mornington Peninsula has given her a close view of how children navigate friendships, school life, social expectations and, increasingly, the influence of social media.
“Children naturally experience the world with so much openness and joy,” she says. “But, as they get older, they often become more aware of how others see them. They start comparing themselves to people around them, and that can lead to self-doubt.”
Coral believes today’s children are feeling the pressure to ‘fit in’ earlier than ever before. Between friendship groups, online trends, school environments, and social media, many young people struggle to balance being themselves with the fear of being left out or judged.
“I think the pressure to belong can sometimes become stronger than the message to embrace what makes you different,” she says. “That’s why stories that encourage individuality are so important.”
Through Skipping to Sammy’s Beat, Coral hopes children will feel encouraged to move through life at their own pace, trust who they are, and not be afraid to shine in their own unique way. The book opens up gentle but important conversations about self-belief, confidence, and following your own path rather than trying to keep up with everyone else.
“Learning to believe in yourself and run your own race is all part of growing up,” Coral says. Over the years, Coral has continued to stay true to herself and her writing, always following her own rhythm, and encouraging young readers to do the same.
Peninsula Kids Magazine Spring 2026