Author Mem Fox

I am constantly on the lookout for more good books to read to my children. I was grateful to my aunt, therefore, for suggesting a book by Gladys Hunt called Honey for a Child's Heart. It was through this resource that we discovered another great children's book author: Mem Fox.

Mem Fox is an Australian writer whose first book, Possum Magic, continues to be the all-time best-selling children's book in Australia. Click here to watch an interview with this interesting author.

We have had two of her books, but I never realized what a prolific and wide-ranging author she was. The following are some of the books by Mem Fox that we have enjoyed. Happy reading!

Koala Lou
Illustrator: Pamela Lofts
Age Level: 4-8 years

Koala Lou's mother loves her very much, and often tells her so, but soon the demands of a growing family compel Koala Lou to compete for her mother's attention. She decides to enter the gum tree climbing event during the upcoming Bush Olympics. She is convinced that if she were to emerge victorious, her mother would be proud of her again. She trains very hard and encourages herself by imagining her mother's arms around her saying, "Koala Lou, I DO love you." However, events don't transpire exactly how Koala Lou has planned.

This is my favorite of Ms. Fox's books. The first time that I read it to my five-year-old, we both had tears in our eyes.

Let's Count Goats!
Illustrator: Jan Thomas
Age Level: 3-6 years

Possum Magic
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Age Level: 4-8 years

Grandma Poss makes bush magic. She makes Hush invisible so that he can be safe from snakes. One day, Hush decides he would like to be visible again. At first, Grandma Poss can't find the right magic, but she soon remembers that it has something to do with food. Grandma Poss and Hush set off on a tour of Australia and eventually discover the right combination of foods that will make Hush visible again.

You don't have to be Australian to appreciate and enjoy this creative and entertaining story.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 2-6 years

I always love Ms. Oxenbury's illustrations.

Time for Bed
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Age Level: 1-3 years

The rhyme and cadence of this book make it a soothing bedtime read for very young children.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Age Level: 4-8 years

A sweet story about a young boy who helps an old woman find her memory after he hears that she has lost it.

Wombat Divine
Illustrator: Kerry Argent
Age Level: 4-8 years

A good story to read at Christmas about a young wombat who is trying to find an appropriate role in the Nativity play.