Who We Are
AUTHOR
Dr Annika Smith is a dermatologist and mother passionate about skin cancer prevention, particularly melanoma prevention in young people. Melanoma prevention through sun safety is a cause close to her heart and one she firmly believes starts in childhood. As a mother she understands the power of storytelling and hopes this book inspires all children and their families to have safe fun in the sun.
ILLUSTRATOR
Lara Porter is a South African illustrator based in Sydney. Her creative career started out as a designer and an art director in advertising. After completing a BA Honours Degree in Illustration at the University of the West of England she moved from the UK to Australia and began freelance illustrating on all kinds of projects. She now immerses herself in the wonderful world of children’s picture books.
You can view more of Lara’s work at www.laraporter.com or on her Instagram @laraporter_illustration.
Fun In The Sun
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is the most common cancer in the younger demographic (20- to 39-year-olds). Sun exposure is the key risk factor for melanoma, and sun exposure in the first 10 to 20 years of life is critical to shaping one’s future melanoma risk.
Most melanomas can be prevented by simple sun protection alone. It is crucial that the foundations for sun safety begin in early childhood. Encouraging the use of sunscreen, hats, clothing, sunglasses and shade offers the best chance of sun protection and the best chance of reducing the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Empowering young children to initiate these simple sun safe steps is key to establishing long-lasting sun-safe habits. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to model sun-safe behaviour to their young people.
Fun in the Sun aims to reinforce the key elements of sun-safe practice in a fun way, using a beachside adventure to introduce these concepts to early readers.
I hope you enjoy reading this book with your children, family and friends. Together we can help lower the rates of melanoma and other skin cancers in this country.
Dr Annika Smith
Fun in the Sun 