Born on 12 January 1894, Dorothy Wall was a talented artist from a young age. Her early work as an illustrator for newspapers and children’s books won her recognition and admiration for her artistic approach. An ardent defender of Australian flora and fauna, Wall drew to educate as well as to entertain. In 1933, she published her most famous book, Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian, based on stories she told her only child, Peter and who was undoubtedly the inspiration for Blinky’s character. In 1939 The Complete Adventures of Blinky Bill was first published, which proved to be just as popular, if not more, as the original individual stories. The book has never been out of print.