News & Events

Betty Johnston visited the University of the Sunshine Coast (Qld) on 3rd April to speak to students about her book 'Mrs Echidna's Dilemma'. Students from different subjects attended - those studying 'teaching literacy' and also 'early childhood studies'.

Due to popular demand, two more patterns have been released - "Echidna Meets Blue-Tongue" in both stump-work and black-work.

Once again, Betty has been invited to speak to pre-service teachers at a lecture on teaching literacy at the University of the Sunshine Coast.  'Mrs Echidna's Dilemma', with its multi-modal approach, is valuable not only in teaching literacy, but also links into other areas of the curriculum.

People constantly ask 'What age group enjoys the book?' The answer is ... all ages!  People have reported giving it to adults, to school children, and to toddlers - and all of them have loved it!  Have a look at these pictures....

Mrs Echidna's Dilemma has been reviewed in many publications - and now it has been featured  in the respected 'Australian Wildlife' magazine.  It's great to see its value being recognised in the wildlife / environmental world.

Betty will be the guest speaker at the 'Teapot Ministries' annual retreat near Sydney. The theme of the retreat is 'Sew you can Dream'... an ecumenical ministry combining a love for patchwork and quilting with a ministry of encouraging women in their interests and gifts.

Here's your opportunity to hear the author discuss her book with radio interviewer Mary-Lou Stephens.

What a dilemma Mrs. Echidna did have and I congratulate most sincerely in the way you have portrayed this through your craft and journalistic skills...I am a "crafty" person with many patchwork quilts under my belt...and gave your book... to our grand children in US.

I would like to thank Betty for presenting at our Book Week Family Night. The school community enjoyed hearing about the process an author goes through to produce and have a book published. Students are still asking for and enjoying Mrs Echidna's Dilemma.

We love 'Mrs Echidna's Dilemma'.  Your art is amazing!  We had a very good time and we hope you did too.  Thankyou for the puppets and for coming.

Betty has presented literacy workshops to Under-Graduate and Graduate students in Early and Primary Years at the University of the Sunshine Coast...  She is a very talented and passionate educator, and I recommend her highly to school principals, parent's groups, and anyone interested in furthering the power of language, literacy and literature in classrooms.