Ruth Park's award-winning novel The Harp in the South was followed by over 50 books for adults and children, including Playing Beatie Bow. Her stories about The Muddleheaded Wombat were a result of the ABC radio serial. She won the Miles Franklin award for Swords, Crowns and Rings in 1977. Deborah Niland has illustrated many best-selling and award-winning books, including When the Wind Changed and There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake. In 2006, Annie's Chair, written and illustrated by Deborah, was awarded the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year. In 2020, Deborah was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal for services to children's literature.