About Julie Murphy

Julie holds DOG BEACH alongside Story Dog, 'Foxy' at book launch, National Library of Australia, November 2024

I trained as a zoologist and zookeeper, and have been a children’s book author for over twenty years. Why do I write? Because I enjoy it, and hope that it helps children to connect with reading and nature. What do I write about? Mostly my main interests – animals and the environment.

I aim to inspire young readers to be curious about nature, and go out and experience nature for themselves – even a park or back yard will do! I also want to encourage children to become lifelong readers, which is why I volunteer for Books in Homes Australia and Author Penpals.

My 22 children’s books are published through Trade and Education publishers in Australia and the USA.

Woman reading a book to seated children and parents in a colourful bookshop event. Three masked women standing in front of a bright yellow wall. One woman is dressed like a dalmation, another is dressed as Cruella deVil (both from 101 Dalmations book, and middle one is holding the book, Cheer up, Blobfish!

I love sharing my books and writing adventures with children, and would love to inspire the kids at your school or library through one of my tailored interactive presentations. Just click on my Contact tab to get in touch, or contact me via socials here. Easy!

BookPeople shortlisted books for Children's Book of the Year 2025, with illustrated dog rolling on its back in front of the tile. Illustration by Annie White.Seated woman holding a book and smiling, with other books nearby, at an outdoor market bookshop.