The directory «Plots»

Turner Ethel
(1872—1958)
«Seven Little Australians»

Turner migrated to Australia with her family at the age of eight. She attended Sydney Girl's High School, where with her sister, Lilian, published Parthenon. She began writing in 1890.
In April 1891 she talked with Herbert Curlewis, whom she married in 1896 when he was an established barrister and she was already a successful writer of children's stories.
Heather Radi in 200 Australian Women : A Redress Anthology writes,
"She…sent a 'Sydney letter' to the Tasmanian Mail and contributed to the children's column of the Illustrated news. The Bulletin accepted her first story in 1892 and she published her first book Seven Little Australians in 1894. Though it attracted some criticism, mainly for not conforming to nineteenth century conventions for children's literature whereby 'good' in the end was 'rewarded,' the book was and long remained very successful. Over 40 editions were published."

It has been translated into ten languages, in 1915 made into a stage play, in 1939 a film, in 1953 it was televised in Britain and in 1973 and 1975 by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Australia, 1991, Seven children