The Complete Adventures of Blinky Bill

Dorothy Wall

Oct 2014 · Bolinda · Narrated by Julie McGregor

About this audiobook

First appearing in 1933, Blinky Bill has become a classic character in Australian children's literature, and the Blinky Bill books have never gone out of print. With enthusiastic pleasure, this headstrong and mischievous little koala sets out on a series of bold adventures testing not only his mother's patience, but also that of all the bush creatures he encounters. This collection features the original three books of Blinky Bill in one volume. Join Blinky as he gets himself into trouble again and again, makes new friends and even does a good deed or two.

About the author

Dorothy Wall (1894-1942), originally from, Wellington, New Zealand, migrated to Sydney in 1914. She won recognition as an illustrator of children's books with her work for J. J. Hall's The Crystal Bowl (1921). Wall continued to illustrate books for other writers, including Jacko—the Broadcasting Kookaburra (1933) and The Amazing Adventures of Billy Penguin (1934) for Brooke Nicholls, and Australians All (1934) for Nellie Grant Cooper. In 1933 she published her most famous book, Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian, based on stories told to her only child, Peter. Blinky Bill Grows Up (1934) and Blinky Bill and Nutsy (1937) followed. Despite the success of Blinky Bill, Dorothy Wall still struggled to establish herself professionally and financially. Divorce and poor health drove her back to New Zealand as a newspaper illustrator, although she returned to Sydney by 1941 looking to reestablish her career as a children's writer. Her health deteriorated, however, and she died of pneumonia on 21 January 1942 at Cremorne.

Julie McGregor is an Australian television actress, best known as Betty Wilson, the red-haired ditzy secretary from Hey Dad...! and its short-lived spinoff Hampton Court. In 1992 McGregor was nominated in the Australian Logie Awards in the 'Most Popular Light Entertainment/Comedy Female Performer' category for Hey Dad...!. She currently lives in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.