Jackie French

Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and was the Australian Children's Laureate for 2014 - 2015 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. Share a Story was the primary philosophy behind Jackie's two-year term as Laureate.

Her books include The Diary of William Shakespeare, Gentleman, Fair Dinkum Histories (with Peter Sheehan), Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies and Millie Loves Ants.