Merrion Frances "Mem" Fox, AM (born Merrion Frances Partridge; 5 March 1946) is an Australian writer of children's books and an

educationalist Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Vari ...

specialising in

literacy Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, hum ...

. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

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. Following an interrogation by US immigration officials on a trip in February 2017 to deliver a keynote speech in Milwaukee, Fox said that she would probably never visit the US again.

''Possum Magic''

Fox wrote her first draft for ''

Possum Magic ''Possum Magic'' is a 1983 Children's picture book by Australian author Mem Fox, and illustrated by Julie Vivas. It concerns a young female possum, named Hush, who becomes invisible and has a number of adventures. In 2001, a film was made by th ...

'' in 1978 during a course in children's literature at Flinders University. 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?'' ranks number 66 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, Australia, but grew up in

Southern Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia was a landlocked self-governing British Crown colony in southern Africa, established in 1923 and consisting of British South Africa Company (BSAC) territories lying south of the Zambezi River. The region was informally kno ...

. Her parents were missionaries and she attended Hope Fountain mission school, near

Bulawayo Bulawayo (, ; Ndebele: ''Bulawayo'') is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and the largest city in the country's Matabeleland region. The city's population is disputed; the 2022 census listed it at 665,940, while the Bulawayo City Council ...

. 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

Chloë Fox Chloë Catienne Fox (born 22 February 1971) is an Australian politician who represented the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Bright from 2006 to 2014 for the Labor Party. Personal life Fox is the daughter of Australian children's auth ...

, a former ALP member of the

South Australian Parliament The Parliament of South Australia is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of South Australia. It consists of the 47-seat House of Assembly ( lower house) and the 22-seat Legislative Council (upper house). General elections are h ...

. 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, and so remains "Merrion" for official purposes.

Awards and recognition

* Won –

New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards The New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, also known as the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, were first awarded in 1979. They are among the richest literary awards in Australia. Notable prizes include the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, t ...

Ethel Turner Prize for young people's literature for ''Possum Magic'' (1984) * Won –

Dromkeen Medal The 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. The Medal was established by bookseller, Joyce Oldmeadow in 1982, ...

(1990) * Won –

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Order (distinction), honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarchy of Australia, Queen of Aus ...

for "services to children's literature" (1993) * Won –

COOL Award The 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. The votes are tallied and the awards made. ...

for ''Possum Magic'' (1994) * Won – Centenary Medal (2001) * Honorary doctorates –

Wollongong Wollongong ( ), colloquially referred to as The Gong, is a city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The name is believed to originate from the Dharawal language, meaning either 'five islands/clouds', 'ground near wa ...

and Flinders Universities, Australia in 1996 and 2004.

Works

Children's books

* ''

'' (1983) illustrated by

Julie Vivas ''Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge'' is a 1984 children's picture book by Mem Fox. It is about a boy, Wilfrid, who helps an elderly friend, Nancy, to regain some of her memory. In 1998, American company Weston Woods Studio released a film ada ...

* ''

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge ''Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge'' is a 1984 children's picture book by Mem Fox. It is about a boy, Wilfrid, who helps an elderly friend, Nancy, to regain some of her memory. In 1998, American company Weston Woods Studio released a film ada ...

'' (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 Vicky, Vicko, Vick, Vickie or Vicki is a feminine given name, often a hypocorism of Victoria. The feminine name Vicky in Greece comes from the name Vasiliki. Women * Family nickname of Victoria, Princess Royal (1840–1901), wife of German ...

* ''Hattie and the Fox'' (1986) illustrated by

Patricia Mullins Patricia Mullins (born 1952) is a children's book illustrator. Some of Mullins' illustrations are in the collection of the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Books Written and illustrated by Patricia Mullins *''A Crash of Rhinos: Fun With C ...

* ''Just Like That'' (1986) with

Kilmeny Niland Kilmeny Niland (1950 – 27 February 2009) was a New Zealand–born 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, ...

* ''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?'' (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 Jane Dyer (born 1949) is an American author and illustrator of more than fifty books, including Amy Krouse Rosenthal's ''Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, Cookies'' series and Jeanne Birdsall's ''Lucky and Squash''. Background Dyer grew up in N ...

* '' Tough Boris'' (1994) illustrated by Kathryn Brown * '' Wombat Divine'' (1995) illustrated by Kerry Argent * ''A Bedtime Story'' (1996) illustrated by Elivia Savadier * '' Boo to a Goose'' (1996) illustrated by David Miller * '' Whoever You Are'' (1997) illustrated by Leslie Staub * '' Sleepy Bears'' (1999) illustrated by Kerry Argent * ''

Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! ''Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!'' is a 2000 children's picture book by Mem Fox and Marla Frazee. It is about a young girl, Harriet, who tries her mother's patience. Reception A reviewer in the New York Times wrote "as always, Fox writes with a ...

'' (2000) illustrated by

Marla Frazee Marla Frazee (born January 16, 1958) is an American author and illustrator of children's literature. She has won two Caldecott Honors for picture book illustration. Early life and college Frazee was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to ...

* '' The Magic Hat'' (2002) illustrated by Tricia Tusa * '' Where Is the Green Sheep?'' (2004) illustrated by

Judy Horacek Judy Horacek (born 12 November 1961) is an Australian cartoonist, artist, writer and children's book creator. She is best known for her award winning children's picture book ''Where is the Green Sheep?'' with Mem Fox, and her weekly cartoons ...

* '' Hunwick's Egg'' (2005) illustrated by Pamela Lofts * ''

A Particular Cow ''A Particular Cow'' is a 2006 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Terry Denton. It is about a cow that usually goes on an uneventful walk every Saturday until one Saturday all this changes. Reception Reviews of ''A Particular ...

'' (2006) illustrated by Terry Denton * ''

Where the Giant Sleeps ''Where the Giant Sleeps'' is a 2007 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. A bedtime book, it was published by Harcourt, Inc., and it is about a giant and the creatures that inhabit it sleeping and preparing f ...

'' (2007) pictures by

Vladimir Radunsky Vladimir Radunsky (1 March 1954 – 11 September 2018) was a Russian-born American artist, designer, author and illustrator who lived in Rome. Life and work Born in the Russian city of Perm, Vladimir Radunsky grew up in Moscow where he studied ...

* '' Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes'' (2008) illustrated by

Helen Oxenbury Helen Gillian Oxenbury (born 1938) is an English illustrator and writer of children's picture books. She lives in North London. She has twice won the annual Kate Greenaway Medal, the British librarians' award for illustration and been runner-up ...

* '' The Goblin and the Empty Chair'' (2009) illustrated by

Leo and Diane Dillon Leo Dillon (March 2, 1933 – May 26, 2012) and Diane Dillon (''née'' Sorber; born March 13, 1933) were American illustrators of children's books and adult paperback book and magazine covers. One obituary of Leo called the work of the hu ...

* '' Hello, Baby!'' (2009) illustrated by Steve Jenkins * ''A Giraffe in the Bath'' (March 2010) with Olivia Rawson, illustrated by Kerry Argent * '' Let's Count Goats!'' (October 2010) illustrated by Jan Thomas * ''The Little Dragon'' (April 2011) illustrated by Roland Harvey * '' Two Little Monkeys'' (May 2012) illustrated by Jill Barton * '' Tell Me About Your Day Today'' (2012) illustrated by Lauren Stringer * ''

Good Night, Sleep Tight ''Good Night, Sleep Tight'' is a major children's poetry anthology collated by Ivan Jones and Mal Lewis Jones. It contains 366 poems by world famous and lesser known poets, including some of the editors' own poems. There is one poem for each ...

'' (2012) illustrated by Judy Horacek * '' Yoo-hoo, Ladybird!'' (2013) illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist * '' Baby Bedtime'' (2013) illustrated by Emma Quay * '' Nellie Belle'' (2015) illustrated by Mike Austin * '' This & That'' (2015) illustrated by Judy Horacek * '' Ducks Away!'' (2016) illustrated by Judy Horacek * ''I'm Australian Too'' (2017) illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh * '' Bonnie and Ben Rhyme Again'' (October 2018) illustrated by Judy Horacek * '' The Tiny Star'' (2019) illustrated by

Freya Blackwood Freya Blackwood (born 1975) is an Australian illustrator and special effects artist. She worked on special effects for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy from 2001 to 2003 and won the Kate Greenaway Medal for British children's book illustration ...

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: How Your Child Can Learn to Read Before School - and Other Read-aloud Miracles'' (2001) * '' English essentials : the wouldn't-be-without-it guide to writing well'' (revised 2009) with Lyn Wilkinson

References

Lu Rees Archives The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature, formerly known as the Lu Rees Archives, is a not-for-profit study and research centre housed at the University of Canberra. The founding donation was by Lu Rees. Its director in 2018 was ...

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Fox, Mem 1946 births Living people Australian children's writers Australian memoirists Writers from Adelaide Members of the Order of Australia Recipients of the Centenary Medal Australian women memoirists Australian women children's writers