Alison was educated at a boarding school in Berwick, Victoria. She achieved a higher diploma in teaching at The Melbourne Teacher's College, where she trained as a secondary arts and crafts teacher. Alison taught for a while before starting a family and writing. Her first book was published in 1986.

Alsion now spends her time living in the country where she writes. She sometimes visits primary schools as a guest speaker.

Alison Lester was born at Foster in Victoria, Australia. She grew up on a farm overlooking the sea and first rode a horse as a baby in her father’s arms. She still lives in the country and rides her horse Woollyfoot whenever she can. Her picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the differences that make them special.

1979, began illustrating children’s books

1985, wrote first book, 'Clive Eats Alligators

1985 — 2004, writing and illustrating.Exhibitions at Books Illustrated, Fremantle Children's Literature Centre, Des Bunyon Gallery, Dromkeen, Season’s Gallery, McClelland Gallery

1993, guest speaker at IBBY conference, Manila

1996, received Writers Project Grant from the Australia Council to research the Spanish Riding school in Vienna

1999, writer in residence at Tanglin Trust School, Singapore

2001, guest speaker at Story Lines Festival, Auckland

2002, visiting author at the Bologna Book Fair, Italy, sponsored by the Australia Council

2004, guest speaker, [Simmons College], Boston, USA

2004, visiting author to Seoul, [Korea] for Children’s Book Week

2004, visiting author, schools in [Tokyo]

2005, traveled to Antarctica as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow for the Kids Antarctic Art project.

2005, workshops and exhibition of “Are We There Yet” in Japan as part of the Asialink literature touring program with the Aichi expo

2005, photographer on tourist ship to Ross Sea region of Antarctica

2006, 'Are We There Yet?' illustrations exhibited in Taipei

2006, first painting for the Kid’s Antarctic Art project exhibited at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

2007, visual artist on two voyages to Peninsula region of Antarctica.

2007, Kid’s Antarctic Art exhibition opens at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

2007, photographer and writer on voyage around Spitsbergen in the Arctic.

2008, Kids Antarctic Art exhibited at Melbournestyle, South Melbourne, featuring selected works as larger canvasses.

Alison wrote a series of picture books about 7 children and their favourite things. This series of books is very popular among young children.[1] The books have been published in Many different languages around the world.[2] The titles are: When Frank Was Four, Tessa Snaps Snakes, Rosies Sips Spiders, Clive Eats Aligators, Ernie Dances To The Didgeridoo and Celeste Sails to Spain.

Some of her other well known books include; Imagine, The Journey Home and Magic Beach.

Some of her books that went straight to best sellers are: The Quicksand Pony and The Snow Pony.

Alison's books have received many honours in the past. Her picture book, Clive Eats Alligators was awarded CBCA picture book of the year in 1986, Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo was short-listed in 2000 for the same award and her experienced-based picture book, The Journey Home, was honoured by the judges in 1990. Her novel, The Quicksand Pony, was named a CBCA Notable Book in 1997.[3]