Mem Fox
Encyclopedia
Mem Fox, AM
(born Merrion Frances Partridge on 5 March 1946) is an Australia
n writer
of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy
. Fox is semi-retired and lives in Adelaide
.
. Nine publishers rejected the draft over a five year period. When it was accepted by Omnibus Books in Adelaide they asked Fox to reduce the 4½ page book, then entitled Hush the Invisible Mouse, by two thirds and to change the mice to Australian animals to place emphasis on her Australian theme. Possum Magic is now one of the most recognised picture books in Australia and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
The two main characters in Possum Magic are Grandma Poss and Hush. Hush 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. It is a rhythmical story of Australia's varied landscapes and the animals that live in them.
appears as number sixty-sixth on the American list of the 100 most challenged books 1990 to 2000. Groups and agencies can challenge a book to prevent it from being available to be read by the general public.
but grew up in Southern Rhodesia
. Her parents were missionaries and she attended Hope Fountain mission school, near Bulawayo
. When she was eighteen, she went to England where she was accepted into an English Drama school.
In 1969, she married Malcolm Fox, a teacher. The following year they returned to Australia and in 1971 she gave birth to her only child Chloe Fox
, who is now an ALP member of the South Australian Parliament.
She dislikes her given name, and adopted the shortened form "Mem" at around the age of 13. She has never taken the step of legally changing her name, so remains "Merrion" for official purposes.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born Merrion Frances Partridge on 5 March 1946) is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
. Fox is semi-retired and lives in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
.
Career
In 1981, while working in drama, Fox decided to retrain in literacy studies. She said: "Literacy has become the great focus of my life — it’s my passion, my battle and my mission and my exhaustion." She has published books on literacy aimed at children, their parents, teachers and educators. She held the position of Associate Professor, Literacy Studies, in the School of Education at Flinders University until her retirement in 1996. Since her retirement from teaching, Fox travels around the world visiting many countries and doing presentations and speaking on children's books and literacy issues.Possum Magic
Fox wrote her first draft for the internationally acclaimed Possum Magic in 1978 during a course in children’s literature at Flinders UniversityFlinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
. Nine publishers rejected the draft over a five year period. When it was accepted by Omnibus Books in Adelaide they asked Fox to reduce the 4½ page book, then entitled Hush the Invisible Mouse, by two thirds and to change the mice to Australian animals to place emphasis on her Australian theme. Possum Magic is now one of the most recognised picture books in Australia and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
The two main characters in Possum Magic are Grandma Poss and Hush. Hush 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. It is a rhythmical story of Australia's varied landscapes and the animals that live in them.
Guess What?
The book, Guess What?Guess What?
Guess What? is a 1990 picture book for children, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Vivienne Goodman, about an old woman, with various witchlike qualities.The book has a steady phrasing, along the lines of:...
appears as number sixty-sixth on the American list of the 100 most challenged books 1990 to 2000. Groups and agencies can challenge a book to prevent it from being available to be read by the general public.
Personal life
Fox was born Merrion Frances Partridge in Melbourne, AustraliaMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
but grew up in Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
. Her parents were missionaries and she attended Hope Fountain mission school, near Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
. When she was eighteen, she went to England where she was accepted into an English Drama school.
In 1969, she married Malcolm Fox, a teacher. The following year they returned to Australia and in 1971 she gave birth to her only child Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox
Chloë Catienne Fox is an Australian politician, and MP for the seat of Bright in the South Australian House of Assembly since the 2006 election, representing the Australian Labor Party...
, who is now an ALP member of the South Australian Parliament.
She dislikes her given name, and adopted the shortened form "Mem" at around the age of 13. She has never taken the step of legally changing her name, so remains "Merrion" for official purposes.
Opinion on childcare
Fox attracted controversy in 2008 after claiming entrusting very young children to childcare is child abuse.Awards and recognition
- 1984 New South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsNew South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsThe New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards were established in 1979 by the New South Wales Premier Neville Wran. Commenting on its purpose, Wran said: "We want the arts to take, and be seen to take, their proper place in our social priorities...
Ethel Turner Prize for young people's literature for Possum Magic - 1990 Dromkeen MedalDromkeen MedalThe Dromkeen Medal is a literary prize awarded annually by the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation for those who have advanced children's literature in Australia.-List of prize winners:*1982 Lu Rees*1983 Maurice Saxby...
- 1993 Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for "services to children's literature" - 1994 Winner of the COOL Award WinnersCOOL Award WinnersThe COOL awards is an annual children's choice award voted on by students in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Children are encouraged to read and vote for their favourite books...
for Possum Magic - 2001 Centenary MedalCentenary MedalThe Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
- Honorary doctorates from Wollongong and Flinders Universities, Australia.
- In 2004 a portrait of Fox, titled The Storyteller by the artist Henny Van den Wildenberg, was a finalist in the Archibald PrizeArchibald Prize 2004 finalistsBelow is a list of finalists for the 2004 Archibald Prize :*Richard Bell - I am not sorry*Jason Benjamin - Bread & circuses*Danelle Bergstrom - Franco Belgiorno-Nettis – ‘larger than life’...
.
Children's books
- Possum Magic (1983) illustrated by Julie Vivas
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (1984) illustrated by Julie Vivas
- A Cat called Kite (1985) illustrated by K. Hawley
- Zoo-Looking (1986) illustrated by Rodney McRae
- Arabella, the Smallest Girl in the World (1986) illustrated by Vicky Kitanov
- Hattie and the Fox (1986) illustrated by Patricia Mullins
- Just Like That (1986) with Kilmeny NilandKilmeny NilandKilmeny Niland was an Australian artist and illustrator. While best known for her children's book illustrations, she worked in a wide range of genres, including animation, wildlife art, miniatures, portraits, cards and prints...
- Sail Away: The Ballad of Skip and Nell (1986) illustrated by Pamela Lofts
- The Straight Line Wonder (1987) illustrated by Meredith Thomas
- A Bedtime Story (1987) illustrated by Sisca Verwoert
- Goodnight Sleep Tight (1988) illustrated by Helen Semmler
- Guess What?Guess What?Guess What? is a 1990 picture book for children, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Vivienne Goodman, about an old woman, with various witchlike qualities.The book has a steady phrasing, along the lines of:...
(1988) with Vivienne Goodman - Koala Lou (1988) illustrated by Pamela Lofts
- With Love at Christmas (1988) illustrated by Fay Plamka
- Night Noises (1989) illustrated by Terry Denton
- Feathers and Fools (1989) illustrated by Lorraine Ellis
- Shoes from Grandpa (1989) illustrated by Patricia Mullins
- Sophie (1989) illustrated by Craig Smith
- Time for Bed (1993) illustrated by Jane Dyer
- Tough Boris (1994) illustrated by Kathryn Brown
- Wombat Divine (1995) illustrated by Kerry Argent
- Boo to a Goose (1996) illustrated by David Miller
- Whoever You Are (1998) illustrated by Leslie Staub
- Sleepy Bears (1999) illustrated by Kerry Argent
- Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! (2000) illustrated by Marla Frazee
- The Magic Hat (2002) illustrated by Tricia Tusa
- Where Is The Green Sheep? (2004) illustrated by Judy HoracekJudy HoracekJudy Horacek is an Australian cartoonist, illustrator and writer whose work is widely published and exhibited.In 2005, a selection of her work was acquired by the National Library of Australia for its collection. She said at the time that "I really like being recognised for having done work that...
- Hunwick’s Egg (2005) illustrated by Pamela Lofts
- A Particular Cow (2006) illustrated by Terry Denton
- Where the Giant Sleeps (2007) pictures by Vladimir Radunsky
- "Ten Little Fingers & Ten Little Toes" illustrated by Helen OxenburyHelen OxenburyHelen Gillian Oxenbury is an award-winning illustrator of children's picture books. She lives with her husband, the illustrator John Burningham, in north London.- Background :...
(Sept. 2008) - "Hello, Baby" illustrated by Steve Jenkins (March 2009) (USA 5 May 2009)
- "A Giraffe in the Bath" with Olivia Rawson, illustrated by Kerry Argent (March 2010)
- "Let's Count Goats" illustrated by Jan Thomas, (October 2010)
- "The Little Dragon" (April 2011)
- "Two Little Monkeys" illustrated by Jill Barton, (May 2012)
Non-fiction
- Thereby Hangs a Tale (1980)
- How to Teach Drama to Infants Without Really Crying (Australian title) (1984) (Teaching Drama to Young Children (USA title) (1987))
- Mem’s the Word (1990 - Australian title) (Dear Mem Fox (1992 - USA title)
- English essentials : the wouldn’t-be-without-it guide to writing well (1993) with Lyn Wilkinson
- Memories : an autobiography (1992)
- Radical reflections : passionate opinions on teaching, learning, and living (1993)
- Reading Magic (2001)
- English essentials : the wouldn’t-be-without-it guide to writing well (revised 2009) with Lyn Wilkinson
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)
- Interview (with Audio) of Mem Fox about her name