Jackie French is an Australian author, historian, and ecologist, who is well known for her children’s books and novels. Born on November 29, 1953, in Sydney, Australia, French began her career as an author in 1991, and since then has written over 200 books. She is a prolific writer and has won several awards for her work, including the Australian Children’s Book Council Book of the Year award four times.
Aside from being an author, Jackie French is also a passionate advocate for the environment and wildlife conservation. She has written extensively on these topics and has been involved in various environmental projects in Australia. In 2015, she was appointed as the Australian Children’s Laureate, where she used her platform to encourage children to read and to promote the importance of nature and the environment.
French has also been involved in historical research and writing, particularly on the topic of Australian history. Her historical novels are known for their accuracy and attention to detail, and she has won awards for her contributions to the study of history in Australia. Additionally, she has worked as a consultant and advisor to museums and historical sites.
Throughout her career, Jackie French has been recognized for her contributions to literature, the environment, and history. She has won numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Australia in 2016 for her services to literature and the community. Her books continue to be popular with children and adults alike and have been translated into many languages.

Jackie French (Wikimedia)
It’s a good idea to look at these 25 interesting facts about Jackie French to know more about her.
- Jackie French was born on November 29, 1953, in Sydney, Australia.
- She has dyslexia and did not learn to read until she was nine years old.
- French has a degree in the arts and has also studied ecology.
- She worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer.
- French has written over 200 books, including children’s books, young adult fiction, and adult fiction.
- She has won the Australian Children’s Book Council Book of the Year award four times.
- French was appointed as the Australian Children’s Laureate in 2015.
- She is a passionate advocate for the environment and wildlife conservation.
- French has been involved in numerous environmental projects in Australia.
- She has also worked as a consultant and advisor to museums and historical sites.
- French has written extensively on the topic of Australian history.
- Her historical novels are known for their accuracy and attention to detail.
- French is a patron of several organizations, including the New South Wales Society for Women Writers and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
- She is also a member of the Order of Australia.
- French is a beekeeper and has written a book about beekeeping.
- She has written several books about gardening and sustainable living.
- French has been married twice and has two children.
- She lives on a farm in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and various animals.
- French has said that she writes for herself, not for her readers.
- She is a self-described “obsessive researcher” and spends a lot of time researching her books.
- French is a member of the Australian Society of Authors.
- She has given numerous talks and workshops on writing and environmental issues.
- French has said that she will continue writing until she can no longer hold a pen.
- French is a strong advocate for literacy and has worked with literacy programs in Australia.
- French is a prolific blogger and has written thousands of blog posts on her website about a variety of topics, including writing, gardening, and beekeeping.
Jackie French is a prolific and highly respected Australian author, historian, and ecologist. Her passion for the environment, wildlife conservation, and Australian history shines through in her extensive body of work, which includes over 200 books. French’s dedication to her craft, her advocacy for literacy and environmental issues, and her willingness to share her personal experiences make her an inspiration to readers and writers alike. She continues to inspire and educate people through her writing, talks, and workshops, and her contributions to Australian literature and culture have earned her numerous awards and accolades.