Jackie French
About the author

Jackie French

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. In 2016 Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children's literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. 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. ‘Share a Story' was the primary philosophy behind Jackie's two-year term as Laureate.

Books by Jackie French

Diary of a Wombat
Bruce Whatley, Jackie French

Diary of a Wombat

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Baby Wombat's Week
Bruce Whatley, Jackie French

Baby Wombat's Week

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    Pennies for Hitler
    Jackie French

    Pennies for Hitler

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      To Love a Sunburnt Country
      Jackie French

      To Love a Sunburnt Country

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      Hitler's Daughter
      Jackie French

      Hitler's Daughter

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        Fire
        Bruce Whatley, Jackie French

        Fire

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        Waltz for Matilda
        Jackie French

        Waltz for Matilda

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        Night they Stormed Eureka
        Jackie French

        Night they Stormed Eureka

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        Wombat Wins
        Bruce Whatley, Jackie French

        Wombat Wins

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        Cyclone
        Bruce Whatley, Jackie French

        Cyclone

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        Jackie French Articles

        3 Reasons Why You Should Read Cleopatra #1: The Girl Who Would Be King by Jackie French

        Review | Our Review

        1 June 2026

        3 Reasons Why You Should Read Cleopatra #1: The Girl Who Would Be King by Jackie French

        3 Reasons Why You Should Read The Mushroom in the Sky by Jackie French

        Review

        30 June 2025

        3 Reasons Why You Should Read The Mushroom in the Sky by Jackie French

        Your Preview Verdict: The Whisperer's War by Jackie French

        Review | Preview

        18 March 2025

        Your Preview Verdict: The Whisperer's War by Jackie French

          Completely Captivating: Read a Review of The Whisperer’s War by Jackie French

          Review | Our Review

          11 March 2025

          Completely Captivating: Read a Review of The Whisperer’s War by Jackie French

            Better Reading Preview: The Whisperer's War by Jackie French

            Review | Preview

            20 January 2025

            Better Reading Preview: The Whisperer's War by Jackie French

              3 Reasons Why You Should Read Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French

              Review

              17 December 2024

              3 Reasons Why You Should Read Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French

              3 Reasons Why You Should Read Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age by Jackie French

              Review

              11 June 2024

              3 Reasons Why You Should Read Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age by Jackie French

              Podcast: Jackie French on Hearing What Wombats Have to Say

              Podcast

              15 April 2024

              Podcast: Jackie French on Hearing What Wombats Have to Say

                Your Preview Verdict: The Sea Captain's Wife by Jackie French

                Review | Preview

                26 March 2024

                Your Preview Verdict: The Sea Captain's Wife by Jackie French

                  A Brilliantly Imaginative Adventure: Read an Extract from The Sea Captain’s Wife by Jackie French

                  Review | Extract

                  13 March 2024

                  A Brilliantly Imaginative Adventure: Read an Extract from The Sea Captain’s Wife by Jackie French