Judy Fox

Merrion Frances "Mem" Fox, born March 5, 1946, is an Australian writer primarily known for her children's books and her expertise in literacy education. Growing up in Africa as the daughter of missionaries, Fox experienced a unique childhood, including being the only white child at her mission school. This early exposure to diverse environments and later experiences with schooling shaped her perspective. After a brief aspiration for an acting career, she pursued writing and education, eventually settling in Adelaide, South Australia. Fox has semi-retired from full-time teaching but continues to write and present seminars globally. Her work has received significant recognition, including awards and honorary doctorates, cementing her status as a prominent figure in children's literature and literacy advocacy.

Born Merrion Frances Partridge in Melbourne on March 5, 1946, she spent her formative years in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where her parents were teaching missionaries. She was educated at the Hope Fountain Mission and was the sole white child in her class. Later, she attended an all-white school where she faced teasing for her African accent. Her early ambitions leaned towards a stage career, leading her to drama school in London. It was during this period that she met her future husband, Malcolm Fox, and began to realize her true desire was to be known rather than to act. After marrying, she lived in Rwanda, England, and finally settled in Adelaide, South Australia, where she later studied children's literature at Flinders University.

Mem Fox is most celebrated for her children's books, with "Possum Magic" (1983) being her most famous work. Initially conceived as "Hush the Invisible Mouse" for a university assignment, the book was rejected multiple times before being accepted and significantly revised. It became Australia's best-selling children's book and is considered a classic. Other notable works include "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" (1984), named after her father, and "Guess What?" (1988). The latter gained notoriety for being one of the most challenged books in America and was banned in a Florida county due to accusations of containing pornographic material related to a scene of a character taking a bath.

Beyond her writing, Fox dedicated a significant part of her career to literacy education. She pursued retraining in literacy studies, describing it as her life's passion and mission. She has authored books on literacy aimed at various audiences, including children, parents, and educators. Fox held a position as Associate Professor of Literacy Studies at Flinders University until her retirement in 1996. Since then, she has continued to be active, traveling internationally to give presentations on children's books and literacy. Her commitment to the subject is profound, viewing it as a critical area of focus.

“Literacy has become the great focus of my life – it's my passion, my battle and my mission and my exhaustion”