Pamela Allen, Ellie Cole and David Koch among those recognised in Australia Day honours | Australia Day

Children’s author Pamela Allen has written more than 50 works that have found homes in bookshelves across the world, and now she has been recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours.

Allen has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contribution to literature.

“I am in my 89th year and it is very rewarding to have the community appreciating me,” said the author of the Mr McGee series and Who Sank the Boat?

Allen – who has sold more than 6.5m copies worldwide over a career spanning 40 years – told the Guardian she hopes Australians will continue…