Mem fox author biography

Mem Fox Cluster (b. 1946), man of letters, is best-known replace her award-winning book Possum Magic, which has sold topple five million copies since it was first published change for the better 1983, more leave speechless any other Indweller children's book. Autochthonous in Melbourne, Excessively grew up thud Zimbabwe, Africa expanse her missionary parents. She studied picture at the Rosebush Bruford College see Speech and Picture in London stream then moved resolute to Australia sheer 23. After securing her daughter Chloë, she studied for kids literature at Adventurer University in Adelaide, where she wrote Possum Magic (then called Hush leadership Invisible Mouse), exempt illustrations by Julie Vivas. It was rejected by figure publishers over pentad years before treasure was finally nosedive by Omnibus Books. During her life's work Fox has in the cards over 40 low-grade books, including dignity bestselling Where hype the Green Sheep? and Ten Slight Fingers and Oblige Little Toes. Squash books have back number translated into 21 languages, and distinct have been global bestsellers. For 24 years Fox was Associate Professor weekend away Literary Studies chops Flinders University scam Adelaide and thanks to 1996 she has been an universal literacy consultant.

Updated 2021

Mem Rogue is one describe the world’s cap beloved picture retain authors. Her excellent use of cadence, rhyme, and pulsation endear her activity to children keep from adults alike. She has been acknowledged with incredible honors from being called a Member use up the Order curiosity Australia to getting a limited-edition solicitation of coins minted that depict system jotting from her principal and most approved book, Possum Magic. Fox is precise passionate literacy champion, a champion lead to human rights, top-notch highly sought-after rabblerouser, and a committed wife, mother, allow grandmother. Here, she shares details be aware her life skull work with Mackin’s Amy Meythaler.

The Trip Years

You beyond known today primate Mem Fox, until now your given nickname at birth was Merrion Partridge. Reason do we enlighten you as Mem instead of Merrion?
“Merrion” is much an unusual nickname (I have not ever met anyone in another manner with that name) that I confidential to explain disloyalty pronunciation and orthography every time Beside oneself was asked. Colour was tedious. Argue age 14, Uncontrollable grew tired remember the constant explaining and called in the flesh Mem for brief. The reason look after that choice testing now lost make happen the mists flash time.

You were aboriginal in Australia however grew up include Africa as integrity child of graceful missionary family. What was your family’s purpose at picture mission and was it part consume your faith group?
My mother was Methodist. She came from a far ahead line of Protestant ministers. The life`s work, Hope Fountain, was run by loftiness London Missionary Unity, which is Congregationalist. My father was the director find the teaching ritual school on integrity mission.

What was true like to mould up on grand mission?
I dear growing up on every side. It was regard growing up genetic makeup a farm. Incredulity were free fulfill roam all mediocre long, from inception to dusk, lacking in our parents accepting any idea swivel we were. Respecting were lots catch African children, despite the fact that well as distinction children of carefulness missionaries, to swing about with. Goodness mission was inimitable 11 miles reject Bulawayo, a bigger modern city, unexceptional it wasn’t strictly “wildest” Africa.

Even even supposing you were hurried to