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.
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.
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.
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.....
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.
Karla loves to give back and knows
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
Our first ‘Koala Party’ and literary lunch at Riverdeck Restaurant, Noosa Marina. Donation of $800 to Queensland Koala Crusaders.
SEP
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.
2023
MAR
Karla invited to be a VIP on an Inaugural BONZA AIRLINE flight. Karla donates 35 picture books to Sunshine Coast Airport charity program.
AUG
Book 3, ‘KARLA DISCOVERS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF’ receives an International 5 star review.
Karla continues to encourage a love of reading in her young fans, making an appearance as students dress up for book week parades at schools.
SEP
Launch of locally produced soft cover version of Karla Trilogy and Gift Pack set. Very popular with the tourist market due to it’s easy-to-pack size and weight.
OCT
Karla makes some new international connections with prominent conservationists. Karla picture book trilogy sent to Sir David Attenborough.
A special watercolour painting, by Lili, of Karla and Queen Elizabeth, and a Karla trilogy pack, sent to King Charles, with condolence on the Queen’s passing.
NOV
Handwritten letter from Sir David Attenborough and letter of appreciation from
King Charles are received in response to these gifts. Words of support for Karla’s important work in conservation.
DEC
Lili paints a special watercolour for Sir David A and Karla sends it to him from her friends in the forest.
Sir David A, responds to Karla with another personalised handwritten note.
2024
FEB
Fizzi, together with Dawn Fraser, attend the Seahorse Nippers Prize day for nippers with disabilities. Karla donates 50 copies of ‘IT’S A RIPPER TO BE A NIPPER’ to their prize bags.
Team Karla visits Lady Elliot Island to enjoy 1st hand Karla’s snorkelling experience and see Karla’s certificate in the Lady Elliot Island Gift Shop.
MAR
Team Karla attends an International Women’s Day lunch at Lucio’s on Noosa Marina, $5 from every book sold is donated to Domestic Violence fundraiser.
MAY
Team Karla attends a Biggest Morning Tea event at Noosa Boathouse. Karla book prize pack donated to the day’s raffle prizes and $5 from book sales to Cancer Council fundraiser.
JUN
Lady Elliot Island gives $20 from every Karla book sold at the gift shop to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Animal Hospital. A Certificate of Appreciation given with each book purchase.
JUL
SEP
Karla’s Trilogy Picture Book sales top 8000 and her donations to date exceed $6500. Current project is planting new Koala trees in the Yurol State Forest via Noosa District Landcare.
Declared as finalist for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards.
NOV
Team Karla attends the Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala Awards Night. So much fun was had with curls and wild eyes, gorgeous frocks and pearls and of course being honored to spend an evening with such inspirational businesses from around the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
