Mem's the word

by Mem Fox

The autobiography of the internationally-acclaimed author of Possum Magic and numerous other children's books. It includes stories of growing up in Africa, working in London and of being a mature-age student in Australia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Writing, Australia, Education

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Mem ... and you love Mem's books ... then you will absolutely love this book about Mem AND her books!

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight to read, it's also nice to see stories of successful authors who don't follow the "rules" you so often hear. She also hates to outline, doesn't write every day, and often feels the crush of impostor syndrome.
I've only read about a third of her output and now I want to find the articles mentioned in this book and catch up with the rest of her fiction.

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having met and taken a class with the delightful Australian children's writer Mem Fox at a conference, summer 2019, I was delighted to find and read her memoir--published in 1990. I haven't read ALL her books yet, but I've read a great many of them and have posted some reviews here on Goodreads. What a warm and personal--even vulnerable--account of her personal life (including a scary cancer battle) as well as her yo-yo writing and teaching career. Her personality bubbles through every page, and I felt like I was sitting down across the table from her in an unhurried visit with a friend. Because I was reading a library copy of the book, I couldn't underline and highlight, but I put sticky flags on numerous pages, and I have now ordered a copy online so I can mark up my own copy for future reference. Mem is definitely "mem"orable in so many ways, including her amazing writing skill and delightful humor, and I know I'll reread this book often.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me and I read it without knowing any of Mem Fox's books! She's hilarious, and has a very particular self-deprecating sense of humor that I enjoyed.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+. nonfiction, autobiography, author, Australia. Enjoyed the entire book; particularly interesting were the author's comments on America.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Mem Fox's books and this was very interesting learning more about the author.

[Cathy Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Mem Fox’s life. I have been reading her books for years to my students. Thanks Mem!

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mem Fox, an Australian children's book author, grew up in southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), where her parents were missionaries. Rather than college, she attended drama school in England, where she met her English husband, Malcolm. The two of them then moved as "migrants" to Australia and have never left. She got a job as a tutor in drama at a college, then became a lecturer (during which time she got her college degree). She is also a storyteller, writer and mother of one daughter, Chloe. She goes into a lot of detail about her writing process and what is involved in producing a picture book for children. She says she loves teaching even more than writing and she has strong opinions about the teaching of reading. She believes in the whole language approach using real books rather than basal readers, and she likes to encourage children to write using "invented spelling". After her international bestseller "Possum Magic" was published, she went on speaking tours in the USA. She said she was initially very fearful to visit America because she was convinced she would be "raped, robbed, murdered, or mugged within minutes of arriving". She had some further interesting insights about American culture: "...in England and Australia in my experience people are more able to find contentment at a lower level of materialism, a contentment arising out of the solidity of families and friendships and a more happy-go-lucky attitude to life and work. In the U.S. work and ambition have no ending. The American work ethic is incredible even for me, and I am not work-shy. Everything is urgent. Everything is a crisis...." Another amusing comparison is that Australians apparently swear much more freely and colorfully than Americans do. She says, "Words that are mild in Australia produce shock-horror reaction in the States....Once, when I was talking to a class about being a writer I told the kids that my first drafts were usually 'crappy' but that I didn't give a 'damn' about it since I knew rewriting would improve them. As one, the entire class clapped its hands over its open mouths and, wide-eyed, turned to watch the teacher's reaction." Ms. Fox wrote this autobiography twenty years ago when she was, by her own admission, in the summer of her life. It would be lovely to catch up with her now, at the early autumn of her life and hear how her life fares today. She writes as though to a good friend and this book is an enjoyable read.

[Storyteller John Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reading of the title led me to believe this book would be primarily letters and reactions from Fox's readers, but it was actually an autobiography with not too much, really, on the "funny things my readers say" front. It was an enjoyable read, though, as Fox has led a remarkable life, and writes about it with great joy and humor. The experience of having been exposed to this book will add to the experience of reading her early children's books, now that I know a bit of the story behind them.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and interesting. Born in Australia, Mem Fox grew up in an African village with intellectually energetic parents, then went to drama school in England, where she met her husband. The two of them drifted around before settling in Australia. Both teach, and Fox has a lot to say about that, as well as topics that range from what it's like to have written a bestselling and emphatically Australian children's book to why her OCD is the fault of Switzerland. Lots of fun.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting memoir from the children's book author and literacy advocate, Mem Fox, From her childhood in Africa to her experiences publishing her famous books like Possum Magic, Mem has had an interesting life.

Not a book for kids, in spite of the fact that I found it in my school library. Mem explores some adult experiences here.

[Pete Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great advice for those looking to write picture books. An interesting upbringing in Africa, and fascinating tours. I only put two stars because I felt troubled by her stance on motherhood, or rather, her mothering of her daughter. I admire the honesty of the writing, but worried for her daughter.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone grabbed me and I had to read this book. An author of children's books, a child actually wrote the "fan letter" in the title. Kids tell it like it is! Enjoyed the entire book about Fox's writing life.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best title! A favorite author.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

She made me laugh, and had some good advice on writing for children. Not a book I'd re-read, but entertaining in the context of my writing for children class.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found the chapters on writing to be really inspiring for primary writing teachers. I keep reading passages and wanting to share them with my class.

[Mireille Messier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great insight into the early years and formative years of this remarkable children's author. I wish there was an updated version available.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, sad, interesting. She's open and honest about her life.