Home > Dianne’s Books
Today is World Animal Day, a good opportunity to share a sneak peek of my new book. Today I received an advance copy of The Last Light Horse, due for release March 2022 with Fremantle Press. The Last Light Horse follows the story of Sandy, the only Australian horse (of approx. 136,000) to return from World… continue reading »
It’s wonderful to be back in the Pilbara, the setting for my anthropomorphic novel, The Dog with Seven Names. I’m here to give presentations at the Port Hedland Library and St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary but I’ve also been researching a new novel about a cyclone, one that features a different animal, the horse. More about… continue reading »
It’s almost Anzac Day, a time to remember our veterans and to act in ways that foster peace. On April 25th, I like to read stories about the animals that served during wartime, and the mascots that lifted the spirits of our soldiers and nurses. Thousands of Australian animals went to World War One. There… continue reading »
Thousands of Australian animals went to World War One. There were dogs, cats, cockatoos, kangaroos, wallabies, a rooster called Jackie and even a koala whose name was Teddy. These animal mascots helped cheer the homesick soldiers, but just one animal returned. Working animals also went to war; carrier pigeons, horses, and donkeys. Of the 136,000… continue reading »
Why do people wear purple poppies? A: To commemorate and remember animals who served during wartime. And the animals have their own special day. In Australia the National Day for War Animals is February 24th, just over two weeks away. I first became interested in wartime mascots when I was researching Lighthouse Girl, the first… continue reading »
Librarians are superheroes. All year they inspire a love of reading and research by making their libraries dynamic and exciting places to visit. Then in Children’s Bookweek they shift into Overdrive. My visit to Bunbury Catholic College today took things a step further … The students have been studying Lighthouse Girl as well as partner… continue reading »
Dianne is the award-winning author of 19 books for children and teenagers.
Her PhD research into the Crafting of Animal Characters in Australian Children’s Literature resulted in two novels, Dog with Seven Names and Shark Caller. The latter, a cross-cultural quest novel, was a CBCA Notable and shortlisted for WAYRBA. The former, also a CBCA Notable, won the Speech pathology awards, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Awards and will be published in China.
