Sally Murphy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sally Murphy OAM
Born	Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Occupation	Author
Genre	Children's literature

Sally Murphy is a talented Australian author and poet. She writes many different kinds of books for children. These include verse novels (stories told in poems), fun picture books, and educational titles that help kids learn. She has even received an award called the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work!

Growing Up and Learning

Sally Murphy was born in Perth, Western Australia. She was the youngest of six children. She grew up in a town called Collie. Sally loved writing stories from a very young age. She often entered writing competitions when she was a kid.

After finishing school, Sally went to university. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Australia. She also got a Teaching Diploma from Edith Cowan University. This helped her become a teacher.

Sally's Writing Career

Sally Murphy started her writing journey in 1997. Her first book was called Speak Out. It was full of fun educational activities. Since then, she has written many more books.

Popular Books for Kids

Some of her well-known books include the verse novels Pearl Verses the World (published in 2009) and Toppling (published in 2010). She has also written many picture books and junior novels. As of July 2025, Sally Murphy has published more than 50 books!

Teaching and Research

Besides writing, Sally Murphy has also worked in universities. She has done research on creative writing and how young children learn. She also studied English and how to teach reading and writing.

From 2012 to 2013, she taught at Edith Cowan University. Later, from 2017 to 2019, she was a lecturer at Curtin University. In 2019, she became a lecturer in literacy and early childhood education. By 2020, she was helping to coordinate courses for early childhood education.

Other Fun Activities

In 2001, Sally Murphy started a website called Aussie Reviews. This website helps people find out about Australian books.

Since 2005, she has been a member of a group called the Australia and New Zealand Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. This group helps authors and illustrators who create books for kids.

Awards and Recognition

Sally Murphy has won many awards for her amazing books.

• 2018: She received an Asialink Arts Residency in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• 2019: She was given a Creative Time Fellowship from the May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust.
• 2022: She received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This is a special award given to Australians who have done great things.

Awards for Pearl Verses the World

Her book Pearl Verses the World has won many special awards:

• Winner, Children's Book category, Indie Book Award, 2009
• Winner, Family Therapist Literary Award, 2010
• Winner, Hoffmann Award (for the highest ranked West Australian author), West Australian Young Readers' Book Award, 2010
• Winner, Western Australian Premier's Book Awards (Children's Book Category)
• It was also a "Honour Book" for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers in 2010. Judges called it one of "two outstanding verse novels."

Other Book Awards

• 2010: Winner, Mary Ryan's Award, Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, for Toppling
• 2016: Notable Book, Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers, for Roses are Blue
• 2018: Notable Book, Children's Book of the Year (Younger Readers), for Looking Up
• 2021: Honour Book, Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers

Sally Murphy's Books

Here are some of the books Sally Murphy has written:

Verse Novels

• Pearl Verses the World
• Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James (2010)
• Worse Things

Picture Books

• Snowy’s Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy (2009)
• Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford (2006)
• The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch (2004)

Chapter Books

• The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir (2008)
• R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye (2006)
• Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen (2006)
• Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen (2006)
• Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence (2003)

Educational Titles