Five Times Dizzy facts for kids

Five Times Dizzy is a fun children's book written by Australian author Nadia Wheatley. It first came out in 1982. Later, in 1986, it was even made into an Australian TV show for kids!

What the Book is About

Five Times Dizzy tells the story of a Greek Australian family. They live in a lively, multi-cultural part of Sydney. The book is full of funny moments and some serious ones too. The main character, Mareka, wants to help her Greek grandmother feel happy. She comes up with a super idea: getting her a pet goat!

From Book to TV Show

The book Five Times Dizzy was turned into a TV mini-series! It first aired on the Nine Network in 1986. The show was filmed in a real suburb called Newtown in Sydney.

Who Was in the Show?

The TV series featured some interesting actors. Mary Kostakidis had a role before she became a famous newsreader for SBS. It was also on this show that comedians John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver first met. They later became the well-known comedy duo Roy & HG.

Main Cast Members

• Rebekah Elmaloglou as Mareka Nikakis
• Mary Kostakidis as Roula Nikakis
• Stavros Economidis as Georgio Nikakis
• Dominic Elmaloglou as Costa
• Helen Kambos as Yaya (Grandma)
• Jane Clifton as Mrs Wilson
• Jim Holt as Brian Brooking
• Joanne Samuel as Chris Booking
• Ray Meagher
• Joseph and Matthew Homshaw as the Gallaghers
• John Doyle
• Greig Pickhaver

Awards and Recognition

Five Times Dizzy received several awards and honors:

• It won a Special Children's Book Award from the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards in 1983.
• The CBCA gave it a "Highly Commended" award in 1983. This was for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers.
• It also received an Honorary Diploma from the International Board on Books for Young People in 1983.
• The TV mini-series won an AWGIE Awards for Best Adaptation, Children's Television Drama in 1987.