Who is Mem Fox?
Mem Fox is an Australian children's author and literacy expert, born in Melbourne in 1946 and raised in Zimbabwe, best known for the picture book Possum Magic, published in 1983.
Fox grew up in Africa, where her parents were missionaries, and later studied drama in England before settling in Adelaide. She taught literacy at Flinders University for many years.
Possum Magic tells the story of Grandma Poss, who makes her granddaughter Hush invisible, and their journey around Australia eating local foods to make Hush visible again. It is one of the best-selling children's books in Australia.
Reading aloud
Fox is a passionate advocate for reading aloud to children, and her book Reading Magic encourages parents to read to babies and toddlers every day.
Her other books include Where Is the Green Sheep?, Koala Lou and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.
Possum Magic's soft watercolour illustrations are by Julie Vivas, and the book has been reprinted many times since 1983, with special anniversary editions for new generations of readers.
Fox's books are known for their rhythm, repetition and rhyme, which help young children learn to read. Where Is the Green Sheep?, illustrated by Judy Horacek, became another modern classic, and many Australian parents can recite it by heart.
Did You Know?
Possum Magic features foods such as Vegemite sandwiches, pavlova and lamingtons.