Author Study: Mem Fox


Print Sources

♥       A Bedtime Story

Annotation: Polly and her friend Bed Rabbit have lots of books, but they don't know how to read, so Polly's parents interrupt their own reading for a bedtime story.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.3         Points = 0.5

    ♥       Boo to a Goose

Annotation: A boy relates a long list of things he would do before he'd say boo to a goose.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.3         Points = 0.5

    
      ♥       Feathers and Fools

Annotation: A modern fable about some peacocks and swans who allow the fear of their differences to become so great that they end up destroying each other.
Call Number: E FOX
 

      ♥       Harriet, You'll Drive Me Crazy!

Annotation: When a young girl has a series of mishaps at home one day, her mother tries not to lose her temper-- and does not quite succeed.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.3         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Hattie and the Fox

Annotation: Hattie, a big black hen, discovers a fox in the bushes, which creates varying reactions in the other barnyard animals.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 1.8         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Koala Lou

Annotation: A young koala, longing to hear her mother speak lovingly to her as she did before other children came along, plans to win her distracted parent's attention.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 3.2         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       The Magic Hat

Annotation: : A wizard's hat blows into town, changing people into different animals when it lands on their heads.
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.8         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Night Noises

Annotation: Old Lily Laceby dozes by the fire with her faithful dog at her feet as strange night noises herald a surprising awakening. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.5         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Possum Magic

Annotation: When Grandma Poss's magic turns Hush invisible, the two possums take a culinary tour of Australia to find the food that will make her visible once more. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 3.0         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Shoes From Grandpa

Annotation: In a cumulative rhyme, family members describe the clothes they intend to give Jessie to go with her shoes from Grandpa. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 4.3         Points = 0.5

      ♥       Sleepy Bears

Annotation: When winter comes, six sleepy bears are rhymed to sleep by Mother Bear. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 3.4         Points = 0.5
 

      ♥       Sophie

Annotation: As Sophie grows bigger and her grandfather gets smaller, they continue to love each other very much. 
Call Number: E FOX
 

      ♥       Time For Bed

Annotation: As darkness falls, parents everywhere try to get their children ready for sleep. 
Call Number: E FOX

      ♥       Tough Boris

Annotation: Although he is a very tough pirate, Boris von der Borch cries when his parrot dies. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 1.75         Points = 0.5

      ♥       Whoever You Are

Annotation: Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 3.2         Points = 0.5
 
      ♥       Wilfred Gordon and McDonald Partridge
 
Annotation: A small boy tries to discover the meaning of "memory" so he can restore that of an elderly friend. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 3.5         Points = 0.5
 
      ♥       Sleepy Bears
 
Annotation: Wombat auditions for the Nativity play, but has trouble finding the right par. 
Call Number: E FOX
AR:  Book Level = 2.2         Points = 0.5
 
 

 Internet Sources

  

♥       Mem Fox

Annotation: Meet Mem Fox, the award-winning Australian children's book author, on her official web site, which she says is "about me, my life, my opinions, my books, my teaching and my feelings about being a writer." Use the links on the left to find your way around the site. You will learn about "the stories behind the stories" of her books, and you can also hear her read aloud three of them. In addition to sharing biographical information, her favorite recipes and books, and her family, Mem Fox also includes a lesson on how to read a book aloud.

♥       Mem Fox

Annotation: Read these letters written to the author by elementary students. 

♥     eThemes Resource: Literature: "Koala Lou" by Mem Fox 

        Annotation: These sites have suggested activities for the book "Koala Lou" and biographies on author Mem Fox. Includes an audio file of the author reading the book aloud. There are also links to eThemes Resources on koala bears, Australia, and the Olympics.

♥        eThemes Resource: Continent: Australia  

        Annotation: These sites have information about Australia, including its animals, geography, climate, and history. Includes photographs, maps, quizzes, and games, plus a virtual tour of the Sydney Opera House and a live Webcam that you can control. Also includes a link to eThemes Resources on koalas and the Olympics.

♥        Interview with Mem Fox  

        

Annotation: Read an interview with Australian author Mem Fox on this web site. Etta Wilson interviews the popular author about her book "Wombat Divine." You will learn about the story, how Ms. Fox got the idea for it, and how she worked with the illustrator, Kerry Argent. Since the story is about a wombat who wants to be in the annual Christmas play, Ms. Fox also explains what Christmas traditions are like in Australia, where December 25 is in the middle of summer. You will also learn more about Mem Fox and her other books.