The internationally acclaimed children’s book writer, on herself and on the art of writing and publishing children’s books.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Charming and candid, Australian children's book author Fox reminisces, in her mid-40s, about her eventful life. Despite the title, the book is more about Fox than her books, though fans should find it interesting. A child of Australian missionaries, the author grew up in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she met an English teacher whose ``passion bulldozed any resistance we might have had'' to literature, and she developed her ear for language from the Bible. After studying drama in England, she and her ``brutally English'' husband moved to Australia in 1970. There Fox got to know her aged but vital grandfather; she concludes that her books, which often feature bonds between the young and old, give her the grandparents she lacked as a child. Fox wrote Possum Magic (which has since sold more than a half million copies worldwide) as a class assignment and details the myriad decisions such a short text required. She doesn't avoid using long words in her books, suggesting that children can understand more than adults think. A passionate educator, Fox has become an advocate of the ``whole language'' approach of teaching reading through meaningful contexts rather than as a rote act. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
Charming and candid, Australian children's book author Fox reminisces, in her mid-40s, about her eventful life. Despite the title, the book is more about Fox than her books, though fans should find it interesting. A child of Australian missionaries, the author grew up in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she met an English teacher whose ``passion bulldozed any resistance we might have had'' to literature, and she developed her ear for language from the Bible. After studying drama in England, she and her ``brutally English'' husband moved to Australia in 1970. There Fox got to know her aged but vital grandfather; she concludes that her books, which often feature bonds between the young and old, give her the grandparents she lacked as a child. Fox wrote Possum Magic (which has since sold more than a half million copies worldwide) as a class assignment and details the myriad decisions such a short text required. She doesn't avoid using long words in her books, suggesting that children can understand more than adults think. A passionate educator, Fox has become an advocate of the ``whole language'' approach of teaching reading through meaningful contexts rather than as a rote act. Author tour. (Publishers Weekly )
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More About the Author
MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trememdous insight into writing children's books,
This review is from: Dear Mem Fox, I Have Read All Your Books Even the Pathetic Ones: And Other Incidents in the Life of a Children's Book Author (Paperback)
Having never read a Mem Fox book, it was the title of this book that caught my eye. For anyone who has fancied writing children's books, this is a must-read. It covers the writing and editing processes and provides insight into obtaining publishers and illustrators. Great book, as are all of Ms. Fox's books.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good account of Mem's life...,
By Nothing new "biased_perspective" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dear Mem Fox, I Have Read All Your Books Even the Pathetic Ones: And Other Incidents in the Life of a Children's Book Author (Paperback)
I enjoyed this quick read. Mem is such a clear and concise writer. It provides a entertaining overview of Mem's life experiences. Contrary to the other review on Amazon this book BARELY covers the process of getting a children's book published. I would estimate that 5 pages MAX of the over 200 pages is devoted to this so don't buy this book for this reason. Otherwise a worthwhile read if you wanted to know more about what goes on behind the scenes of writing a children's book.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Once upon a time, and it's a true story this time, two Huguenot families fled persecution in France and settled in England. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
motherhood statement, ditto sheets, drama school Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Rose Bruford, Hope Fountain, New York, South Australia, Wilfrid Gordon, Night Noises, Flinders University, New South Wales, Los Angeles, Miss Smith, Sydney Opera House, Acting Exercises, American Express, Blue Angels, Hush the Invisible Mouse, King William Street, Lily Laceby, Telling Tales, Western Australia New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Once upon a time, and it's a true story this time, two Huguenot families fled persecution in France and settled in England. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
motherhood statement, ditto sheets, drama school Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Rose Bruford, Hope Fountain, New York, South Australia, Wilfrid Gordon, Night Noises, Flinders University, New South Wales, Los Angeles, Miss Smith, Sydney Opera House, Acting Exercises, American Express, Blue Angels, Hush the Invisible Mouse, King William Street, Lily Laceby, Telling Tales, Western Australia New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 50
books:
See all 50 books this book cites
1
book
cites this book:
- Possum Magic (Voyager Books) by Mem Fox on 17 pages
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books) by Mem Fox on 5 pages
- Guess What? by Mem Fox on 4 pages
- Koala Lou by Mem Fox on 4 pages
- Night Noises by Mem Fox in Front Matter, page 144, and page 155
See all 50 books this book cites
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