In 2002 he paired with author Jackie French and illustrated Diary of a Wombat, which was the start of an extraordinary creative collaboration. Since 1992 Bruce has written and/or illustrated over 90 picture books. A book can change the world' was the primary philosophy behind Jackie's two-year term as Laureate.į/authorjackiefrench Bruce Whatley is one of Australia's most highly regarded and talented authors and illustrators for children, both here and internationally. She is regarded as one of Australia's most popular children's authors and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction for a variety of age groups.

A Waltz for Matilda, published in 2016, won the Kids Reading Oz Choice (KROC) Award for fiction for years 7-9. Her children's books include Diary of a Wombat, Christmas Wombat, Flood, and Fire.

She overcame dyslexia to write over 140 books for both children and adults. In 2016 Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children's literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. Jackie French was born on Novemin Sydney, Australia. This is the (almost) true story of one small wombat who learnt how to train her humans – and inspired the internationally best-selling picture book Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley.Ībout the Author: Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator, the 2014–2015 Australian Children's Laureate and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. She is Mothball, a wombat destined to become famous. Celebrating the twentieth anniversary, this is the story of Mothball, one of the world's most famous wombats – and where it all began. And when Mothball takes an unexpected sleigh ride, its not just Santa who faces the prospect of getting stuck in the chimney.

Jackie french wombat books