It all started with a helpful wombat whose disruptive droppings paid for a much-needed car registration.
Children's author Jackie French lived in a shed with three animals - a wallaby, a snake and a wombat called Smudge who pooped all over her typewriter.
Her first book Rainstones was messy thanks to Smudge's droppings, and tainted with misspelt words because of her dyslexia.
"It was pulled out of the slush pile because it was the messiest, worst spelled mess they had ever seen," the author told AAP.
"If it hadn't been for that bad spelling, the publishers may never have picked up my book."
Most widely known for her beloved children's classic Diary of a Wombat, French has now written more than 170 books and is an advocate for children's literacy.
The author can now add an Australia Day honour award for her service to literature to her list of accomplishments.
Having taught herself to read at the age of three, the author admits her dyslexia prevented her from "reading a single word on the board" at school.
She figured she needed to be taught to read in a different way.
"There is no such thing as reading difficulties, only teaching challenges," French said.
With a writing career spanning over 25 years, French has dedicated the last two years to helping children in literacy.
"After 170 books I am not ashamed to say I am dyslexic. I can't spell and I can't find my way out of a car park."
"It has inspired my work for literacy and teacher training ... every child has a right to learn to read with the methods that best suit them."
Despite her impressive resume including more than 60 literary awards, French said her ultimate accomplishment was being the author of her two-year-old grandson's pick-of-the-day book - without him knowing it was hers.
"I don't think it gets better than that, it really doesn't."
But despite her successes, French doesn't consider herself worthy of the honour.
"There are so many who work for kids and literacy who deserve this far more than me."
The humble author said she "can't imagine ever retiring", with several books on the horizon, including children's book Grandma Wombat, which is due to hit shops on March 1.
