Mem Fox

Mem Fox (born 1946 as Merrion Frances Partridge) is an Australian author of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Mem Fox was born on 5 March 1946 as Merrion Frances Partridge; however she prefers to be called Mem as she detests her birth given name. She was born in Melbourne, Australia but grew up in Zimbabwe. Her parents were missionaries and she attended the mission school. When she was eighteen, the harsh treatment of blacks in Zimbabwe pushed her away from the place where she grew up.She went to England and was accepted into an English Drama school. In 1969, she married her husband Malcolm, a teacher. The following year she returned to Australia with her husband and in 1971, she gave birth to her only child Chloë who is now a member of the South Australian Parliament.

Mem Fox was a teacher and then a professor of literacy and is now a consultant world-wide. Mem Fox originally wrote her first draft for the internationally acclaimed Possum Magic in 1978 during a course in children’s literature. Nine publishers rejected the draft over five years. When it was accepted by Omnibus Books in Adelaide they asked Mem Fox to reduce her 4½ page book then entitled Hush the Invisible Mouse by 2/3 and to change the mice to Australian animals to place emphasis on her Australian theme. Possum Magic, the most recognised picture book within Australia, has sold over 3 million copies world wide.

Book Synopsis

Possum Magic: The two main characters are Grandma Poss and Hush, who has been made invisible by her Grandma to protect her from the dangers of the Australian bush. The story details the duo's adventures as they tour Australia searching for the secret to Hush's visibility. A rhythmical story of Australia's varied landscapes and the animals that live in them. Mem Fox writes Australian-based books for children because she feels that there is a lack of such books. Mem Fox writes in a lyrical form with simple and straight to the point phrases. She uses a great deal of phrasing and rhyming to make her work more enjoyable and fun to read.

Awards

• 1990 Dromkeen Medal^[1]

Honorary doctorates from Wollongong and Flinders universities, Australia.

Notes

External links

• Mem Fox (Her personal web site)
• Mem Fox, Australian Author of Children's Books (Biography)
• Children's and Youth Library (Library pages on Mem Fox)