Possum Magic

Fox, Mem. Illustrated by Julie Vivas. 1983. Possum Magic. Adelaide: Omnibus Books.

Plot Summary

Possum Magic delights readers with the tale of a young possum, Hush and her grandmother possum, Grandma Poss. The grandmother has magical abilities to alter the animals from their natural state into different colors, smaller, and whimsical versions of themselves. She performs her bush magic on Hush rendering her invisible to the other animals. Unhappy with her state, her Grandma Poss and Hush embark on a quest to find the cure for Hush’s invisibility. They adventure on bike to the far cities of the country experimenting with uniquely Australian cuisine for a cure eventually determining that a little of everything does the trick.

Critical Analysis

This was Fox’s attempt to write a “very Australian book”. Set in Australia, Fox introduces animals unique to the continent including wombats, kookoburras, dingoes, and emus. The rhyming whimsical tale is one a child who has never set foot in Australia can appreciate and enjoy.

The main characters are personified in dress (clothes, glasses, shoes) and actions (reading, brushing teeth, riding a bike, and watching a movie). The rest of the animals in the story are all seen in their natural animal ways (undressed, eating eucalyptus leaves, etc). The author’s intention seems to be more about highlighting Australian animals, food, and geography, then in an underlying message. Although, one can simply deduce that the young child finds that being invisible, or rather unnoticed by the other animals, is not as desirable as being seen.

The illustrations support simple verses on each page, with muted colors and a simple find-the-possum adventure for the very young. This book surely delights a child who has been to Australia or would simply like to learn a little about the food and animals. It is just as accessible for the young reader who likes to read stories of a journey, as those who have a bond with their grandmother, or simply enjoy tales about characters with tails. Recommended.

First published in 1983, Possum’s Magic gives a glimpse at the beginnings of the published authorship of Mem Fox. On her website http://www.memfox.net, we learn many interesting facts about the author. She was born in Melbourne, grew up in Zimbabwe and schooled in England. The daughter of missionary parents, she eventually married and returned to South Australia in 1970, where she resides today. Fox mentioned that one of the interesting aspects of publishing children’s books is the fact that the publishers most often select the illustrator, contrary to what most may think. The importance of allying an appropriate illustrator with an author’s verse cannot be overstated in picture book publications. Oftentimes, Fox’s illustrators are not Australian.

Review Excerpts

“Although the characters, locales, and vocabulary are thoroughly Australian, Possum Magic has universal appeal. Fox chooses her words carefully, making readers believe that certain foods just might be magical”. –Jeanette Larson, School Library Journal

Connections

Any unit or lesson introducing Australia would be strengthened by this (and several other Mem Fox picture books). For this lesson one could include other whimsical Aussie tales such as the classic Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: their adventures wonderful by May Gibbs, the favorite Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball by Vicki Churchill or the ALA Notable Children’s Book Diary of a wombat by Jackie French.

For the Possum Magic history, a Q & A with the author, and Possum recipes of the Aussie foods mentioned in the story go to http://www.memfox.net/possum-magic.html.