The Heart Behind the Wombat
Meet Tess Edwards, the storyteller who believes every child has a secret adventure waiting just beyond the next leaf.
Tess is an Australian author who resides in the beautiful bayside town of Geelong in the state of Victoria, Australia. She attended primary and high school in the area and had a passion for books and writing from an early age. This was fostered by parents who believed books were the ‘perfect’ gift for every occasion.
She worked as a journalist for a rock magazine at age twenty-one, interviewing rock bands and music artists alike. Though exciting for a young writer, her creative spark truly ignited at age 24 when she penned the first Wazzle story, 'Wazzle Goes to Town'.
Tess is mother to Taylor, the illustrator of the Wazzle series, and has spent approximately fifteen years fostering many children with challenging behaviours. Tess currently has a beautiful seven-year-old foster child in her care who has been with her since he was 3-months old. There are complex challenges, but Tess has devoted her love and time with the reward of his reciprocated love and trust.
A life journey with many twists and turns, Tess has returned to writing with the same passion and joy she had as a young, wide-eyed writer, and envisions children everywhere will enjoy her Wazzle books with the same, beautiful enthusiasm!
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A Note from Tess
Watching the sun sinking into the horizon, the sky pale orange and shades of red. Seeing the stars appear setting the backdrop for the awakening of another brilliant moon. The night sky to me like a hackneyed blanket masking the face of God. Watching flowers bloom and tides roll in and out. Taking a deep breath in spring and hearing the symphony of the early morning, the sweet sound of birds in perfect harmony with the hum of gently breeze.
The smell of fresh mown grass...it all takes me back to my childhood and the days where I experienced the delight of so many firsts. My first book, my first chocolate crackle, my first toffee, my first bike ride, my first ride down a grass hill on a cardboard box. It reminds me of joy, simplicity, of days with endless laughter. I write because all these thoughts inside me can't be contained yet I still cannot express the wonder of simplicity.
I get lost in imagination because in that place the world is perfect. I wish every child nothing but imagination, to create, to believe and follow their dreams forever.
Keep the child within yourself alive always.
— Tess Edwards
Behind the Books
The story of Wazzle began with a laugh. When a friend told author Tess Edwards about her husband Bazzle’s ill-fated trip to the shops—where he got so "side-tracked" by friends that he came home hours later with absolutely nothing—Tess knew she had found her hero.
That inspiration led to the 1990s classic Wazzle Goes to Town, a rhyming adventure that introduced the beloved "gang" of characters still appearing in her books today. With nearly 20 unpublished titles to her name, Tess’ work is deeply rooted in her love for children. As a foster carer of 15 years, her current journey with seven-year-old Christopher inspires her daily. Her commitment to helping him find his voice through speech development is a testament to the same care and joy she brings to every page she writes.