Tylissa Elisara has shed tears of joy at children's reactions to her middle-grade novel about a reclusive hairy-nosed wombat from the 55th burrow of Bushland Avenue, Kangaroo Island.

Ms Elisara, who is of Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha descent, wrote Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky for her now-teenage son, Jaxon, to instil a sense of pride in his First Nations heritage.

At Jaxon's urging to have it published, she applied for and won a black&write! Writing Fellowship.

Hachette published her book, which went on to win The Readings Children's Prize 2024 for best new contribution to Australian children's literature from an emerging author.

"I have come home after sharing the story with a few schools, and I've sobbed when telling Jaxon about some of the beautiful reactions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who felt excited or incredibly proud to share their culture with me in front of their class," Ms Elisara, a former social worker, said.

Wurrtoo is one of 17 books published so far through State Library of Queensland's nationally recognised writing and editing program for First Nations storytellers.

Each year, two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers are awarded $15,000 in prize money, editorial manuscript development with First Nations editors at black&write! and a publication opportunity.

"There are not enough words to express how life changing and wonderful the black&write! project and the team are,' said Ms Elisara, who was born and raised on Mamu Country in Innisfail.

"I wouldn't be a published author if it weren't for their unwavering support and mind-blowing knowledge and expertise. I have nothing but immense gratitude that they gave me a chance."