Felice Arena

Felice Arena is an Australian children's author and illustrator. He created and co-wrote the football-themed Specky Magee series; the historical novels The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, A Great Escape and The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan; and the picture books Pasta!, Cheese! and My Big Secret.

Early life Arena was born in Kyabram, Victoria. He studied teaching at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria and graduated in 1990. He decided to pursue a career in acting and writing. In 1992, he was cast as Marco Alessi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. A year later, he relocated to the UK and was appearing in the West End when he began writing his first book in his dressing room.

The Specky Magee series (co-written with Garry Lyon): Specky Magee (2002) Specky Magee & the great footy contest! (2003) Specky Magee and the Season of Champions (2004) Specky Magee and the Boots of Glory (2005) Specky Magee and a Legend in the Making (2006) Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game (2007) Specky Magee and the Battle of the Young Gun (2009) Specky Magee and the best of Oz (2011)

As contributor