The Karla Story
'Not just another Koala Book'
Fizzi (Elizabeth Reynolds) & Lili (Linda Wills) have been friend since they were 10 years old. Fizzi, as a lawyer, has been a wordsmith for many years. Lili, as a photographer, was also known as a wonderful watercolour artist, so they decided to combine forces and create a series of magic children's stories.
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In 2020 KARLA THE COOLEST KOALA was launched, introducing Karla the Koala, who is brave enough to leave the safety of her forest and has a fun day out as a tourist, along Noosa's Hastings Street. To their delight the book received rave reviews and flew off the shelves.
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A year later a very different story, KARLA TO THE RESCUE, showcased humans and critters working together to be brave, kind and help save lives.
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The trilogy was complete with KARLA DISCOVERS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, a wonderful conservation adventure set around Lady Elliot Island, where Karla goes snorkelling, having mastered "a hose for a nose" and Lili probably becomes the only artist on Planet Earth who has painted a koala under water.....
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The books continue to fly off the shelves at home and worldwide with thousands of books sold each year and thousands of dollars donated to Koala conservation and preservation.
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Karla loves to give back and knows
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We are One Universe, One Song!
My Storytellers
Karla
In this first book KARLA leaves the safety of her forest to experience a day’s new adventures in Hastings Street.
KARLA'S MILESTONES
We are One Universe, One Song!
2019
DEC
Launch of Book 1, ‘KARLA THE COOLEST KOALA IN NOOSA’ at Sofitel Noosa, by Mayor, Tony Wellington.
2020
MAR
SEP
Our first ‘Koala Party’ and literary lunch at Riverdeck Restaurant, Noosa Marina. Donation of $800 to Queensland Koala Crusaders.
2nd Koala Party at French Quarter, Hastings Street, Noosa. Book signings and live koala, Arlo. Donation of $500 to Queensland Koala Crusaders.
2021
JAN
FEB
MAR
MAY
JUN
SEP
NOV
Launch of Book 2, ‘ KARLA TO THE RESCUE’ at Fairshore, Hastings St, by Mayor, Claire Stewart and local Fire Chiefs. Donation of $980 made.
Karla is made the official mascot of Noosa Heads Surf Club. 18inch handmade KARLA koala created wearing smallest Nipper outfit.
New softcover Karla book, ‘IT’S A RIPPER TO BE A NIPPER’ launched and donated to Noosa Surf Club to raise funds for the Nippers program. Many $100's raised since.
More funds donated to Qld Koala Crusaders. Around 3000 books now sold and $3000 now donated.
Books start to sell well in giftshops, bookshops, markets and online from Karla’s own website.
Create Your Own Book Course launched. Budding authors attended course facilitated by Fizzi and Sean Parer, Karla’s book publisher. 3 new books came from new authors through this course.
Karla is a Gold Sponsor for the Noosa Biosphere Foundation, Wild Koala Gala. $50k raised for Koalas at the event. Karla donated approx. $2000.
2022
FEB
MAR
APR
JUN
Karla stocks locally handmade koala toys and finger puppets. Supporting small artisan craftsmen.
Karla’s iconic and professionally scored song, at the back of each book, recorded with local songbird, Germaine Cook.
Lili, Karla’s talented watercolour artist, visits from NZ. Paints Karla portraits at Peregian Markets to raise funds for QLD Koala Crusaders.
Karla continues to stock in many more local bookshops and giftshops. Books are sent worldwide to Karla fans. Noosa Surf Club Restaurant now displays and sells books to help raise funds.
NOV
Launch of Book 3 in the Karla Trilogy, ‘KARLA DISCOVERS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF’. Launched by Mayor, Clare Stewart at Bounce Resort, Noosa. Featured koalas snorkelling in the Barrier Reef themed pool and raffles in support of Noosa District Landcare koala tree planting.
DEC
4,500 of Karla Trilogy books now sold and been sent all over the world. More than $4,500 donated to koala conservation programs.