Jackie French, author of the beloved children's book Diary of a Wombat, has revealed the true story behind the tale, recounting her encounters with a carrot-obsessed wombat named Mothball that changed her life. The wombat, rescued after being badly bitten by dogs, was hand-reared and later released on French's farm in New South Wales.
Mothball's antics included chewing through a cage to demand carrots, destroying household items like bathmats and doormats, and even ripping clothes off the line. 'Anything that smelled of humans was destroyed,' French recalled. The wombat's destructive behaviour continued until the drought broke and grass grew again, at which point Mothball finally settled.
French, who has lived alongside wild animals for decades, described the experience as a privilege. 'It’s a joy and a privilege to have wild animals decide you are their friend,' she said. The book, first published in 2002, became a bestseller and has been translated into multiple languages, charming readers worldwide with its humorous take on wombat life.
Mothball's story is one of many that French has gathered over years of studying and rehabilitating Australian wildlife on her conservation property. The author notes that orphaned wombats need careful preparation before release into the wild, including learning to dig and find food. Mothball eventually disappeared into the hills, but her impact on French's life and literary career endures.
