Australian Childrens books - Mem Fox

In 1978 Mem was a mature aged student with a 7 year old daughter who's appetite for books was outstripping Mem's resources.This led Mem to take a course in Children's literature where she hoped to discover lots of books that had been published since she was a child. Instead of discovering books by other authors Mem found that her lecturer expected her to actually write a children's book as a course requirement.

Mem was horrified as she thought that Children's books were way too easy and a little beneath her, she soon discovered she was wrong. Writing a children's books was a lot harder than she originally thought but it certainly taught her respect for Children's authors. Mem chose to write real Australian type books because much to her dismay there were very few Australian themed books available. History shows that Mem was on a winner with this choice especially as it led her to write the famous Possum Magic.

Did you know that the manuscript for Possum Magic was rejected several times by more than one publisher before it was finally accepted. Bet the one's who refused it regret it now.

Possum magic is the best selling Children's picture book in Australia and has held this title for many years.

My mother was a teacher and ended her career as a Librarian teacher which was due to my mother's passion for books. My Mum has BIG bookshelves in 5 rooms of the house and even keeps reading material in the Loo. I too loved books and could read a book a night especially in my teen years. I could even read a novel whilst walking to school and riding my bike (not a good idea to take up though.) When I was young I loved fiction ranging from Adventure - Famous Five, Silver Brumby to fantasy C.S Lewis and Tolkien to name a couple. These days I mainly ready non fiction and I have discovered a love for biographies. My love of reading came naturally and I needed no encouragement, now I am a mother of two and i wish my kids were as in love with books as my mum and I are. Since they do not show the natural affinity that I had I am making sure I do everything in my power to encourage them.

Mem Fox has some great advice and teaching for parents and teachers alike and if you are like me and recognise the value of a good book and the value of reading then I suggest you read some of Mem Foxes books and articles on this subject. Below is an excerpt from Mem Fox's website.

"Often when I sign this book for a teacher I whisper: 'This is the best book I'll ever write.' I could wall-paper my entire house with the pages and pages of heartfelt letters from teachers in Australia and the USA who tell me that Radical Reflections has changed their lives. Most academic texts about the teaching of literacy are written by academics who are not natural writers, through no fault of their own. I was, until the end of 1996 a full-time Associate Professor in Literacy in a university. I was happily blessed therefore, with academic insights which could be expressed in a writerly fashion. I know of many people who have read this book from cover to cover as if it were a thriller they couldn't put down. (I must admit I find that a little amazing.) It's for teachers and parents who are interested in how we write and learn to write; and in how we read and learn to read-and learn to love reading." ( quote captured Feb 2012 from http://www.memfox.com/radical-reflections.html)