Children’s Author
Anna Kenna is an award-winning investigative journalist turned children’s author, whose books are found in schools and homes across the globe.
Storytelling That Matters
Passionate about ground-breaking journalism and born a storyteller, Anna writes for all ages.
Her popular three-part series Viola Vincent Reporting is written for young readers with a social conscience and taste for knowledge. The books follow courageous rookie reporter Caitlin Nove (AKA Viola Vincent) through her eye-opening investigations.
Founded on solid facts, wisdom and warming humour, the Viola Vincent collection teaches kids that when they raise their voices and take action, powerful things can happen.
Anna’s latest novel Viola Vincent Reporting - Troubled Water follows Caitlin’s investigation into a polluted waterhole, where she unwittingly stirs up tensions in a community that run as deep as the river itself.
The series has twice won national junior fiction awards.
The latest book from Anna Kenna
Helping Hounds
Helping Hounds is a beautifully illustrated picture book that introduces young readers to the many ways dogs help people in their everyday lives.
Told in gentle rhyme and supported by engaging, realistic artwork, the story explores the different roles dogs play — from beloved family pets to hardworking farm dogs, skilled police trackers, and clever airport detector dogs.
Each spread focuses on a different “helping hound”, showing how their unique talents, sharp senses, and strong bonds with humans make a real difference in the world around us.
Influential children’s storytelling
Anna Kenna is a former newspaper, radio and television reporter who worked as an investigative journalist on prime time shows like Fair Go and 20/20.
When Anna took a break from journalism to complete a creative writing course, she fell in love with writing for children. Now she dedicates her time to creating entertaining kids’ books with journalistic themes, helping to enlighten young people about important global issues and hot topics of injustice.
Watch Kiwi icon Suzy Cato read Anna Kenna’s book The Essential Fairy in an episode of Suzy’s Book Corner.
“My books are for kids who care about what’s happening in the world and for parents interested in raising good global citizens, who are tolerant and compassionate.”
— Anna Kenna, children’s author
Meet Caitlin …
Caitlin is a gutsy 13-year-old girl with a social conscience, disguising herself behind the pen name ‘Viola Vincent’ to write for her local newspaper. From animal welfare to climate change, there is nothing she will not sink her teeth into - especially if someone advises her not to! Written for ages 10 upwards, the three-part feature series includes:
Troubled Water (2020) follows Caitlin's investigation into a polluted swimming hole - a contemporary novel about dirty waterways and climate change.
In the second book Underdog Caitlin, through her alter ego Viola Vincent, investigates the cruel world of puppy farming. Published in 2018. Read more.
In the first book of the series, an accident that almost killed her mother seals Catlin's own destiny. Published in 2010.
Kids Picture Books by Anna Kenna
The Essential Fairy tells the story of six-year-old Ruth who loses her front tooth in the midst of the lockdown and is dismayed when the Tooth Fairy doesn’t show up to collect it. Her dad shrugs off her concerns but Ruth is certain there must be some mistake.
Bo is a racing greyhound, at the top of his game. But, after an injury he is no longer fit for racing, and his owner allows him to be placed in a home as a pet.
It's Orca night, the animal version of the Oscars, where movie star animals get awards. This time, however, a tricky python threatens to spoil the show.
