Episode 5 with Order of Australian Jackie French Jackie is is an Australian author, dyslexic, ecologist and honorary wombat. She was also the Australian Children's Laureate in 2014-2015 and the 2015 Senior Australian Of the year.Her writing career spans 25 years, 148 wombats over 140 books, 36 languages, 3721 bush rats and over 60 awards in Australia and overseas. She wrote her first children's book 'Rainstones' in a desperate attempt to earn $106.40 to register the car while living in a shed with a wallaby called Fred, a black snake called Gladys and a wombat called Smudge. The editor at HarperCollins said it was the messiest, worst-spelt manuscript they'd ever received. The mess was because Smudge had left his droppings on the typewriter every night. The spelling, because she is dyslexic. She recommends that all beginner writers misspell their first book, so it stands out in the pile. Jackie is also our 2019 Annual Gala Guest speaker. Listen now If you would like to hear more of our great podcasts then help us by donating. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible and every dollar helps! Please select a donation amount (required) $50 Will help us continue the work we are doing change the lives of young people and adults with dyslexia. $75 Will help us support young people and adults with a mentor. $100 Will help us run our 1800 helpline so those with dyslexia can connect through our peer support service. Other Donate Dear Dyslexic Foundation, changing the world through storytelling.