Mem Fox AM (b. 1946), author, is best-known for her award-winning book Possum Magic, which has sold over five million copies since it was first published in 1983, more than any other Australian children's book. Born in Melbourne, Fox grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa with her missionary parents. She studied drama at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London and then moved back to Australia aged 23. After having her daughter Chloë, she studied children's literature at Flinders University in Adelaide, where she wrote Possum Magic (then called Hush the Invisible Mouse), with illustrations by Julie Vivas. It was rejected by nine publishers over five years before it was finally accepted by Omnibus Books. During her career Fox has written over 40 children's books, including the bestselling Where is the Green Sheep? and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Her books have been translated into 21 languages, and many have been international bestsellers. For 24 years Fox was Associate Professor of Literary Studies at Flinders University in Adelaide and since 1996 she has been an international literacy consultant.
