No ordinary Sheila [DVD] / directed by Hugh MacDonald ; produced by Christine Dann ; researched and written by Christine Dann.

The person I should like to be -- Theme song and main title -- Kim Hill & Sheila: growing up on Stewart Island -- Sheila's ancestor Rev. Johann Wohlers -- Kim & Sheila discuss her father, Roy Traill -- Wild Rakiura/Stewart Island -- The family home at Leasks Bay -- "A bit volcanic": Sheila's father Roy -- Three artists: grandmother, mother and Sheila -- Primary school days -- Secondary school, Invercargill -- Dunedin: university and boarding hostel escapades -- Teachers' College: befriending Janet Frame -- Janet's breakdown and shock treatment -- Graduating, moving to Wellington, working at the National Library -- Skiing and tramping, meeting Gilbert Natusch -- Wedding on Stewart Island; a very unusual honeymoon -- New house, new job, Animals of NZ commissioned -- The witch of Moonless Bay -- Writing: rejection and reward -- Sheila and Gilbert: a very unusual life together -- The epic ride -- Sheila and Ken Scadden -- tall ships and the sea -- The cruise of the Acheron -- Iceland: Sheila and Andy Dennis -- Brother Alex: "A bit of a loner"; deaths of parents and brother -- The Spirit of New Zealand and the Bumbleboat -- Gilbert retires: Sheila explores the universe -- Gilbert develops Parksinsons and Alzheimers, and dies in 2005 -- Snowshine and starshine: Sheila on her own -- The Bach Cafe and friends Maraea and Gary Kiel -- Kim, Ken Scadden -- cancer, mortality, "getting the last bit of fun out of life" -- Rolling home -- End credits & theme song.

Sheila Natusch, Kim Hill (Interviewer) and other contributors.

"If you haven’t already heard of Sheila Natusch, prepare to be inspired. The story of this writer, illustrator, natural historian and outdoors adventurer is a beautiful journey through a unique life, made with love by her cousin and long-time Kiwi filmmaker, Hugh Macdonald ("This is New Zealand". Featuring unique historical footage of the lower South Island in the 1930s and 40s, No Ordinary Sheila offers a fascinating glimpse into Sheila's life, including her childhood on rugged Stewart Island and her education at Otago University, where she became friends with Janet Frame. From there she moved to Wellington for work at the National Library and Correspondence School, and finally found her true vocation as a professional writer and illustrator with her groundbreaking history and natural history books, including "Animals of New Zealand". Sheila's unquenchable spirit, feisty wit and never-give-up attitude are by turns funny, touching and inspiring..."--Container.

Rated G: Suitable for general audiences.