Ellie Cole pens the book she wishes she had growing up

Growing up in 1990s Australia, Ellie Cole loved reading books but never saw herself depicted in the fictional characters. Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian was three years old when her right leg was amputated above the knee because of cancer. As a child, she recalls other kids pointing out her differences to their parents and “the reaction would always be quite negative”. Her debut children’s book, Felix and His Fantastic Friends, hopes to turn the tables on that disability stigma by encouraging curiosity and respectful conversations.