Welcome to my Guestbook
I love reading this guest book every night! Thank you for writing.
You’ll know from my Hot News Space that I don’t have time to reply to the majority of the messages, so huge apologies in advance.
I hope students doing urgent assignments will avoid heart-break and failure by not requesting my help in the first place. I feel badly about not being able to help out, and hope everyone will forgive me.
Needless to say I will reply to invitations so do remember to leave an e-mail address.
I no longer have time to visit schools (unless they are close to my house) because I am now focussing heavily on teachers, parents and reading aloud. I do feel sad about this and hope everyone will understand.
And finally a gentle reminder: everything you write in this guest book can be read by the whole world.
Best regards,
Mem Fox
Dear Mem,
As a mom to a 4 year old boy named Oscar, I just want to thank you for your contributions to children’s literature. I read 10+ books a day with my son, but one of my favorites is Harriett, You’ll Drive Me Wild. I am a patient mommy and I love my son with all of my heart, but even I get frustrated. I try to warn him before by saying: “Oscar, I am about to raise my voice, so please consider your choices wisely because you don’t like to hear me yell”, but your book really helped put my position in perspective for my son.
Thank you so very much! I hope Oscar and I are lucky enough to hear you read a story aloud! I am going to be helping a new local bookstore with their story time soon, and I know your site tips will help calm my nerves!
Thank you again for being able to communicate your passion for literacy so clearly and effectively! You have certainly made a difference in my life as a stay at home mom who LOVES to read aloud with her son!!
Best regards and stay cool!
Priscilla & Oscar
Dear Mem,
Thank you for dedicating Reading Magic to Jim Trelease. I love him and am glad to know you are a kindred spirit.
I am a school librarian in Melbourne, Florida. I give my students free books if their parents go to your website and give me feedbback on an article. Thanks for all you to promote the love of reading!
Dear Mem,
Firstly at university we study your books all the time, – brilliant :) thankyou…
Up until recently, I had been in the process of publishing my own childrens book ( without reading your tips, shame on me I now realise, dont worry Ive printed them and plastered them to my wall). Today, I recieved the letter to state my publication rejection. When i spoke to an old friend- a teacher who shares my love of kids books mentioned your Feathers and Fools… was it true you had publication issues with this work?
Kind regards
Kirli S
I am in the middle of “Reading Magic” and just love it.
Why aren’t more of your children’s books translated into Spanish? I bought the ones that I could afford from amazon.com (some are over $100), but the selection was very limited. I only use Spanish with my children and would love to see more of your books available in that language.
Dear Mem,
We love all your books, our teacher likes to read them. The Magic Hat is our favourite book. We have been reading a big book with your autobiography, now we are trying to write our own autobiographies. Keep writing fantastic books, we love to read them.
Thank you for all your wonderful books
2E
Mem,
I’m currently finishing up my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Ed. and was given an assignment to read Radical Reflections by my teacher. I just wanted to let you know that I truly feel that I have gotten more out of this book than any of the books I’ve read or assignments I’ve done in the past three years. Your book has given me the confidence to present reading and writing to my future students in the way that I have always wanted to. Although the dreaded Basals seem to be the easy way out, I’m choosing to take the more enjoyable and challenging road less traveled. I loved your book and am currently sharing it with one of my dear friends who teaches fourth grade. Thank you so much for saying what many don’t have the guts to vocalize!
On a more personal note, I also wanted to thank you for writing Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. My dear Nanny lost her battle with Alzheimer’s in 2006 and your wonderful book brings tears to my eyes in memory of her whenever I read it.
Hello Mem!
I, and all the children I have ever worked with, have loved your books and storytelling (absolutely loved your song version of Tenn Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes”). I also wanted to thank you for your article “Like Mud Not Fireworks” – it will be an article I ongoingly reflect on!!
I love your books and of course, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is my favorite. I notice that you mentioned you don’t travel much any more. I was wondering if you have ever considered Skype for talks.
My school is on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean and so we have very little chance of author visits which I think is too bad because they are so magic. So I just wondered….. Carole S.
Dear Mem,
We are a multicultural school and love sharing information about the countries we all came from. We are learning about Australian Culture and Possum Magic was a perfect book for us!
Now we know more about Aussie food, animals and cities.
Most of all we liked when Hush became invisible. Today we are having a party to make sure Hush remains visible forever! We have made a pavlova, using your recipe. When it is cooked we will have some vegemite sandwiches and some yummy lamingtons to celebrate!
Thank you, from our “heart of hearts” for writing such wonderful books and we can’t wait to read them all.
From Prep /One DD
Corpus Christi Primary School
Glenroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Dear Mem,
I love your books and hope to one day write a picture book as good as one of yours.
My favourites are Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild and Tough Boris. Harriet has helped me stay sane as a mother. My kids’ favourite is Where is the Green Sheep. We borrowed The Goblin and the Empty Chair from the library recently, and my 9 year old daughter, Annika is very taken with it.
I came to your website searching out advice for how to write picture books. I will keep coming back to reread as I try to improve my writing.
Once I was enjoying your website so much, I found myself reading about children learning to read by the time they were 3 etc, simply by having their parents read aloud to them. Reading these comments felt like cold custard dumped on my lap. Annika is 9 and barely reading (and just diagnosed with Asperger’s, but her IQ is average). I resisted writing a pain-filled comment and went to the library to get Reading Magic instead.
I wondered if I would discover what I had done wrong, that is, how my reading aloud had not been good enough. I wondered what you would say against phonics – I am an EC teacher, so I had Whole Language thundered into me at uni, but I only taught preschool, and I wondered how a child could learn to read without being taught any phonics.
I only borrowed Reading Magic yesterday, and since it is so delicious, I have gobbled it straight up. I am comforted that the way I read to Annika (I started with her at 3 months) was, and still is, great. I was relieved to find that you aren’t against phonics altogether, just against using them out of context (I missed that at uni). I was also glad to find your short section on children who don’t get it for a long time despite their parents enjoying books with them.
Everything I read in your book made good sense to me. My seven year old has learnt to read quite easily, even though he didn’t know the alphabet when he started school – he just wasn’t interested despite the games I would naturally try to interest him in. I wasn’t worried, and I’m glad I wasn’t. My almost 3 year old can recite lots of books, which is great fun.
I hope that nobody who has a child reading early/easily will assume that other parents whose children are struggling are necessarily to blame. We have enough mother-guilt already!
Reading Magic has given me extra insight into Annika’s difficulties. She LOVES books, but is happy to wait for me to read them to her. She finds language difficult, has poor general knowledge, baulks at any challenge and has terrible difficulty making friends at school. I knew these things were affecting her reading, but I didn’t realise how much.
I’m not sure what I will do – I could go as far as home schooling for a time. I might consider giving up the multilit, and give her days off school just to spend heaps and heaps of time reading preschool books with her.
For now, I’m off to begin Reading Essentials, which I’m hoping will guide me into writing well.
Thanks again for all your books, especially Reading Magic.
Penny
Hi Mem,
I just finished reading your Reading Magic Book. I started reading to my daughter before she was born (she’s 16 months now) and I have always felt reading was so important in an academic sense. I hadn’t really thought about the importance of it in a fun and bonding way though. Although we did have a lot of fun reading before we have way more fun now. I don’t hold back at all anymore. We’re yelling and dancing and laughing the whole way through the books. She’s loving it and so am I. I’ve added Reading Magic to my list of items every expectant mother should buy.
The other reason I’m writing to you is to share our favorite Author. His name is Robert Munsch and he’s just as famous as Dr. Seuss in Canada. (That’s where I’m from.) I was shocked when I went to the book store here and they had never heard of him and couldn’t even order his books in. What??? It was like someone in a bookstore telling me they had never heard of Dr. Seuss. When you explained the best qualities of a good book in Reading Magic his books fit right into that. I’m sure you would LOVE them. My daughters favorite one right now is called “Mortimer” and you can listen to him telling the story on his website http://www.robertmunsch.com
So I just had to let you in on that Author and let you know I loved your book. Thank you for making our read-aloud experience even better.
Sonja
Brisbane
Dear Mem Fox,
I must tell you how much I enjoy all of your books. You are a great writer and as a graduate student hoping to become a teacher, I am excited to use your books in my own classroom one day. In my Basic Reading Instruction class we have been studying many of your fantastic books. Our class would love to hear from the amazing author herself and would appreciate any wise words for future teachers and parents. I just want to say that I especially love your book Koala Lou. It is really a touching book! Thank you for writing all these great books!
Thanks again!
Hello Mem,
As a grade one teacher, I LOVE using your books in my classroom. I recently finished your book, “Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever”, and loved it all! I’m looking forward to the new school year to employ some of the techniques you mentioned. I have always been a believer in the importance of reading aloud, which is why my Master’s thesis includes lots of information on this and on creating a home environment which will foster the development of emergent literacy.
I have one question for you: In your book you write, “ …if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re eight”. I wonder if you have a source for that? I’ve found information relating nursery rhymes and reading by the time children are 6, but I haven’t seen such specific data.
Thanks!
Hi Mem…Let me first say how much we love your books…they are filled with warmth and joy.
My daughter Jacinta now has her own daughter 5month old
Alana.Everyday for the last 2 months Cinta has read her “Koala Lou”(a book I saved for Cinta for her 1st mothers day as she is so much like the character Koala Lou)She tells me she finds something new in nearly every read.
We call Alana’possum girl’ as she looks like a little possum with dark round alert eyes,a pointy chin and bobbing head….she even has their nocturnal habits(she doesn’t sleep nights!)
Now to the root of my problem.I cannot find a book with Alana as a character anywhere.I have searched the net…checked out bookshops and they have researched for me too but to no avail….so if ever you need a name for one of your wonderful characters please think of us
…perhaps you have come across an Alana in some childrens story and can let us know….
Finally please allow me to thank you for the wonder and happiness your books have brought into our lives.You are truly an author in tune with your reading audience .
Dear Mem,
We are writing to tell you how much we really love your books! We really like that your books have nice neat pictures and the stories are fascinating too. It was funny in Possum Magic when the animals changed colours and slid down the kangaroo’s back. We liked the sheep sleeping and surfing in “Where’s the Green Sheep?” We also enjoyed the rhyming and characters in your books. Some of the characters were funny and some were kind. We liked it in Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge how Wilfrid helped Miss Nancy find her memory. Thank you for the books you write as they are very nice and we like them very much.
Hi Mem,
Just thought I’d finally get around to giving you some feedback. My Mother in Law gave me your book Reading Magic when our first child was born, 4 years ago. I am a book lover myself and always intended to share this love with my kids, but was very interested to learn how this would benefit them.
My husband &; I read to our daughter every day (usually many many times a day, especially in the first couple of years). From just a few weeks of age I noticed how she watched my lips as I read and moved hers at the same time. Before long she was babbling, then speaking at a level advanced for her age. People were constantly commenting on her speech and vocabulary.
She had just turned 3 when I realised she could read herself &; by 3.5 there was no stopping her. You’ll be pleased to know that among her favourites are Wilfred Gordon, Possum Magic & Koala Lou. (I should add here that we bought Koala Lou when I was pregnant with our 2nd, and I absolutely could not get through the book without bawling! When Koala Lou “cries her heart out”, it still brings a tear to my eye!)
Whenever friends, family or strangers alike, marvel at our girls reading ability I am very quick to tell them that she taught herself to read. I then explain that this ability was nurtured by our reading aloud to her from birth. It was such a natural process and such a joy to witness. Meanwhile, her little sister has just started recognising letters….watch this space!
Thankyou for your passion and commitment to all of our kids. Thanks also for your beautiful stories that are such an important part of our family life, and the memories we’ll treasure from this very special time when our children are young.
Keep it up!
Peta
hello mem, i have enjoyed visiting your website almost as much as i have enjoyed reading your books, and hearing you on the radio. i am a mother of young children, and though i have always loved children’s books, it is only through the experience of reading aloud to my children that i have come to really feel what it is that makes a great children’s book. i am also an artist and have recently completed my first illustrated children’s book. i take inspiration from the vast array of children’s literature available to us, that there is indeed, a place for my book too. did you once feel the same? thank you for your vast contribution to our home’s bookshelves, and our local library’s. regards, rose
Dear Mem,
I love reading your books because they make me feel very happy.
From Leah
Dear Mem,
I love all your lovely books but my favourite book is Hunwick’s Egg because he knows it is a rock the whole time.
From Ben.
I have loved your book Reading Magic and often give it as a baby shower gift along with a few books to get the parents reading-hopefully!! I am visiting my daughter in Germany and brought along a copy for her to read. Last night I was re-reading it, the thought came to me about my dear granddaughter who has an english speaking mother and a German national father. Have you written about language development and reading in a bilingual family? As a teacher, I want the best for my little sweet granddaughter and her soon to be sister. My daughter was raised with books and wants to share that pleasure with her children too, but she knows her children will need to be fluent in German as they enter school here. Thank you!
Dear Mem,
I have just come from the Marion Cultural Centre completely inspired all over again. This is the third time I have listened to you and am happy to say that you will never get stale.
I am a child care educator and am wanting to set up a display for parents after tonight.
One other thing. I am one of those people who has written something I would love to see made into a children’s book. You have inspired me to follow this dream.
I sat on it for years before I felt it was finished and then left it in the drawer until the right time to reveal it appeared. It is about the first time I met my Grandma Rosie.
Now I need to discover how to publish – ah… there’s always something to discover.
Anyway, thank you for your beautiful books. The children often request them and they MUST be read at least twice in every sitting!
So until we meet again, thank you and enjoy your precious times with your grandson – they will be remembered.
Mem, you’d be so proud of my 5yr-old…
She was asked to read a Level 1 basal reader to her class teacher at school the other day. When she’d finished (in about 2 seconds flat), the teacher asked her what the story was about. She replied, “That wasn’t really a story…it just said Mum is swimming, Mum is driving, Mum is cooking… Nothing really happened in it, so to me it wasn’t a good story.”
I’m wondering what reading level she’ll be placed on….
Sleep well.
Hi Mem! Thanks for the little note you wrote to my class R/! TR. I was on your plane back from Melb yesterday and you took time out to write the note…much appreciated!! My class were so happy when I read the lovely note to them this morning. Thanks a million…we truly do love your books!
Dear Mem, I would like to thank you for writing such a beautiful note to my year R/1 class. They will be so excited tomorrow morning when I read it to them! I was on your flight from Melbourne and the lovely flight attendant kindly on my behalf asked for your autograph. I am so grateful….thanks a million. We love reading your stories!!!
Hi Mem,
I love reading Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge to my two daughters aged 6 and 4. We have been reading it on a regular basis for a few years and we never get tired of it. My father passed away 4 years ago, and I know this is the sort of book he would have loved reading to his grand-daughters, so I read it with a tear in my eye from when Miss Nancy holds the warm egg…
Thankyou,
Tracey, Croydon VIC
Hi Mem,
As a Mum, Grandma and a teacher, I have been a longtime fan of your books, sharing them many times with my own children, now my grandchildren and many, many students over the years.
I am teaching in a remote area of Queensland, and am about to do a parent information/workshop session to help them share quality literature with their Prep children (not basal ‘home’ readers)
I am so grateful that you’ve written your ‘Ten Read Aloud Commandments’, so I’ll be using these to help guide parents in developing a love of reading with their children.
I am forever amazed at the number of children who come from homes where there are no books, and reading aloud is not a family activity. Hopefully with the help of your ‘Commandments’ and activities during the workshop with their children, parents will see what a joy to all sharing a story can be.
Thankyou again for your inspiration and dedication to the promotion of spending quality time reading with our children and the wonderful contributions that you’ve made to children’s literature.
Dear Mem,
I went along to your presentation at Burnside Library last night (I was the person smiling like a fruitcake at you all night :)
Your care and love for children and their well being is just so lovely. You are an inspiration and role model for anyone who has little people in their lives.
For all the untold hours of happiness and love you have bought children, I wish you all the same in return.
Go Mem!!
Anna x
I memorized “Whoever you are” from reading it so many times to my little one. If she cries while I’m driving I recite it to her and she calms down.
We recently started reading “ten little finger and ten little toes” and “hello baby” – we LOVE both.
I just wish I could give you a big hug – our lives are richer thanks to your books.
Hi Mem,
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your inspirational lecture you gave in our Perth primary school last year. Your words came at just the right time as I was in the middle of playing around with some picture book ideas – you rekindled my passion for writing. I’ve now finished my first book and have a literary agent too! I’ve always loved your books and now, whilst on maternity leave from teaching, my darling 2 year old (and newborn!) fill my days… You signed some books for me (and her) and it’s just so gorgeous to hear her ‘read’ them. She knows ‘Hattie and the Fox’ word for word, and thanks to you I do pretty great voices (even if I do say so myself!) :) Her favourite bit is the ‘MOooooooooooooooooooooooo!’ She would also like to know (in her 2 year old inquisitive charming mind) where the lady’s head is in ‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes’ (she asks every time!) In case you’re wondering, that’s the page ‘And another who was born on the very next day…” It brings happy tears to my eyes to see her ‘reading’ to herself and the joy in her smile when she chooses books for us to read. I always tell her the title and author, and as we have so many of your books, whenever I tell her the title, I simply have to say “by…” and she annouces ‘Mem Fox.’ Very cute! Thanks again Mem, you’re passion is amazing and whilst away from my gorgeous students on mat leave, your books allow me the fun of reading aloud to my toddler and also keep me focused on my other passion – writing! Now here’s hoping my agent finds a publisher! :) Thanks again!
Hi Mem,
I have a 3yo girl and a 14mo boy and both are fans of your books. I can recite Time For Bed and Where is the Green Sheep? without pause, though that sounds more boring than it is, and we all love them (I especially love the I’ll whisper a secret – it’s always “I love you”). I even added an extra for my breastfed son – “It’s time for milk, little man, little man, It’s from my breast, not a can.” My daughter has just discovered Shoes From Grandpa and the other night while smooching and reading on her bed she asked who wrote it. I pointed to your name and told her you’d written many of her favourites. This morning she found Hattie and the Fox in her bookshelf. We’ve not yet read this book (sorry – there are sooo many books in the shelf and we’re always re-reading the current favourites) but Ella pointed your name and said, “It was written by Mem Fox!” Smarty pants!!! You could’ve knocked me over with a feather! We went downstairs and I started to tell my husband and instead decided on a little party trick. Reading Magic was on the kitchen bench (reminding myself about keeping a baby engrossed) and I picked it up and asked her who wrote it – there’s a bit going on on the cover so I pointed in the general direction and she said, “Mem Fox!” Reading magic indeed!!!!
We love your work and enthusiasm! Thanks for helping get and keeping my kids interested, and for writing books which interest me as well!
When my daughter was less than one she loved Time For Bed and every night at the end of the book she would kiss the child goodnight. Now my son does the same. I’m yet to get a kiss goodnight from him but that kid is well done by! I even have to wipe the dribble off the book!
Thanks again
Sheryl
G’day Mem,
Just wanted to thank you for your invaluable website, and I have read your Dos and Don’ts for authors of children’s books.
I have just contacted the Junior School that my dd attends, and the Head Teacher was more than happy for me to test my book, ‘Boo’s Buried Bone’ on her charges tomorrow morning – bless her!
I, too, am a tad leery of testing out books on the nearest and dearest, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow!
Dominus tecum
Leonie E.
Cavendish, Victoria
Dear Mem,
I am a kindergarten teacher in Dayton, Ohio. I would like to thank you for inspiring my wife and I to become better writers. During my undergraduate studies at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, I wrote my first lesson plan from your book, “The Magic Hat.” I am now in the process of writing my own books and I need some direction as to how to get it published and illustrated. Thanks for your inspiration.
Sincerely,
Steven
Mem, I just wanted to say I work in childcare and your books are always the first I pick from the shelve. I have a collection of your books at home also. Love your work!!!
The baby in care thing- I agree with every thing you have written here on this site. Its so very hard to meet the basic needs of 10 babies when there are only 2 carers, let alone provide the stimulation, comfort and love that these babies are deprived of. Lets hope that things start changing! You speaking out- or as you said going out on a limb has encouraged me to speak up and advocate for my rights as a childcare professional and most importantly for the rights of the children in my care.
Thank you again for you magic and your inspiration.
x
Dearest Mem,
I have just finished reading “Reading Magic” and just had to write to say thank you. I have read to my son, now six month old, almost everyday since he was born. I had three books packed in my hospital bag when I went to have him even!
I am raising a bicultural/bilingual child in Japan with my Japanese husband but I am originally from Brisbane, Australia. Possum Magic was one of the first books I ever bought for my son- it was when he was just an idea on the horizon. He now has over 100 picture books. Slightly insane maybe but he loves them and I love reading to him and for me surrounding him as much in English as possible before he enters the Japanese school system at age three or four is very important.
Your book helped reinforce some of the things I already knew and were doing with my son but it also gave me so much more and in particular an insight on how children learn to read (and since we will be living in Japan this is something that I was going to have to teach him, or so I thought). It is interesting as my parents always told me I read at about age 3 and they had no idea why but it turns out it is because my father (and sometimes mother) read to me everyday without fail and instilled in me a love of books and reading. Something I am trying hard to instill in my son. You sections on phonics and reading with boys were of particular interest for me.
Again I thank you- I hope to purchase some more books my my son when we visit Australia for two months from November! Will be sure to pick up some more of your picture books- so far we have three!
Lulu
ps: Possum Magic is a book I buy for almost all of my friends that have children, in particular those that are not from Australia originally because I love to spread the “magic”.
hi Mem i am a very big fan, i am ten years old. I live in Australia , Victoria. I just want to ask you these questions.
Why did you want to be a writer?
Did you ever have another dream?
Where do you get your ideas from
How long have you been writing books for
What was your first book that you wrote?
Do you have any children?
How long does it normally take to write a book?
What sort of books do you like?
And last of all what is your favorite book?
love your big fan. oh i forgot when is your next book coming out?
I really want to know.
regards
Alexandra Zumbo
Dear Mem,
I would just like to say a very big THANK YOU. You came and did a talk recently at our school, Albany Hills State School up in Qld, you were such an inspiration.
I must admit I had lost my passion for reading to my children and I was starting to focus more on my older son (currently in Grade 1) reading to me. He struggled at the start of the year with his reading and I was starting to feel like I was the teacher at home, we were working on words and trying to get him to read books for around an hour each morning before school which helped him improve a little.
After seeing you speak on the Friday that night I got a box together of all our favorite books and each night since then I have solely been reading to my boys (instead of trying to get them to read to me) with enthusiasim and having fun with the words (like when they were younger), I stopped trying to be the teacher and just enjoyed reading with them again every night for around 20 mins – we just can’t put those books down anymore!! My favorite (and theirs) is Time for Bed – they know what that book means – night, night!!
After a week of reading fun my son started wanting to read to me, so now each night he begs me to let him read some of the books – I can’t believe the difference from a boy who grumbled every time I asked him to read a book to begging me to let him read a book!!
I would also like to thank you for pointing out how important it is to get the right books, I now find books that are fun for me and also for the boys, books you can put on your “funny voice” and play with.
Thank you once again!
To the Divine Miss Mem, I am currently studying to be a Teacher’s Aide and I’m especially loving all the information on reading strategies. I can oft be heard beginning all sentences with, “Mem Fox says…” In one assignment I used the following quote by Strickland Gillilan, “You may have tangible wealth untold, Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold, Richer than I you can never be – I had a mother who read to me”. I can’t even read it without choking up. My four year son is, incredibly, reading at a Primary School Grade 1 or possibly Grade 2 (his teacher tells me). I knew this and have known of this ability since he was three. But it is also no surprise. We have read and read and read everything and anything we could (including roadwork signs, cafe menus and my rates notices). I know people think I’m “lucky” and my heart breaks for them. It isn’t luck. All I did, all I ever did, was read to him from since he was a baby AND, we have loved every minute of it. I tried to get my son’s pre-school class involved in the ACT Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. I offered to come in and read to individuals, small groups, the whole group, anything. I offered to take care of all the administration, paperwork etc… All the class had to do was have 12 books read to them in a 3 month period. But I was told that it couldn’t be done as there wasn’t time. Even now, I cannot find the words to convey to you how…how…maddening and incredulous this seemed to me. And I know why it was refused, because they’re only pre-schoolers, right? How is there not time to read a book? Anyway, the very brilliant Bernadette Hayes at the Chief Minister’s office quickly and happily registered my son as individual. And I’m happy for us, but sad for the others. I’m not sure why I told you all that, except to say that you are inspiring and some of us are just trying to do our small part to make a difference. I always teach my son the name of the authors and your name was the first author’s name he could read. What I am supposed to be saying to you is that we love your books. No, I can’t be specific – we just love your books and we love them, just because. And I think that’s probably the best reason: just because. Thanks Mem, for your books and everything you do for literacy. We do appreciate it. Best wishes, Karyn C.
I bought your book while pregnant. Liam is now just weeks from being 1 year old. I’ve chosen three books that I am rereading a 2nd or 3rd time now, and I intend to read once a year as a “refresher.” Your Reading Magic is one of those books.
Interestingly, I fell asleep last night to the page describing the joy of rhyming in “Time For Bed” and how kids can “guess” the next word. This morning, I went to local thrift shop and the first book that I pulled randomly from a pile was “Time for Bed.” I read it to Liam and in fact, I read him three books in a row. My inner voice had said (while reading your book) he really IS too fidgety. Granted, he’s a bit under the weather, but i’m using this chance to read MANY books and then maybe when he’s well again, he’ll be less fidgety. in any case, i think it was meant to be, and i will even be ordering the large version of the book soon, because it is good enough to merit buying him his own copy not already chewed up yet!
Hi Mem, I am a prep teacher and next term we have decided to devote our Integrated Studies Topic “Learning through Literature” to your stories. We are spending two weeks on each of the following books; Possum Magic, Hattie and the Fox, Shoes from Grandpa and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. We are a school based in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and understand you would be unable to visit our school. Although I was wondering whether there would be any way of setting up a Skpye session? or something similiar? Looking forward to hearing your response. Thanks
Dear Mem
My name is Nate William and I am 3 yrs old. I love “Night Noises”, I read it every night and I know all the words. I like “click clack” and “Butch Aggie bristled” the best. I’ll draw a picture and send it to you in the post. I want to tell you something – Lilly Laceby is dreaming. Thank you for writing the stories for me. Do you write stories for other kids too?
Love Nate XXX
ps I love Green Sheep and Mem Fox, now I’m going to bed
Dear mem,
I was hoping you knew my aunty. She used to live in Devonport Tassie. Her name is Vivienne brown.
I am very inspired by your writing.
I would love you to write more books. I want to be an author when I grow older. I am only 11 right now! I am thinking about publishing a book called Goody is gone! Look out for my name!
Could you give me some writing tips? Like how to publish books, some tips to improve my writing, I would be very happy! I live in Bendigo, Victoria. Could you come visit Bendigo sometime? I would like to meet you! Hope you find this message inspiring.
From Mikaela.
P.S Could you please reply? thanks!
My favorite book is Wilfrid Gordon Macdonald Partridge! I have read it to many of my students in the primary grades. Today I saw a presentation on “Changing Ages” which is to educate the younger population on what life can be like as we become elderly. After the presentation, I spoke with the presenter, eager to tell her about your book and how well it would fit with her presentation. Thank you for such a warm and loving story!! Lesley
Dear Mem,
Thankyou for writing your wonderful books and congratulations in their success.
I’ve read lots of your books, including where’s the green sheep and possum magic, which I’m certain everyone in Australia has read.
But the thing I’d like to know is, when did you begin writing?
I saw you speak a month or so ago and I was so inspired about reading more to my children. We have now added some more of your books to our collection and “hattie & the fox” read Mem style is now a favouite in our house. It even helps get rid of any grumps too as hatte says “goodness gracious me I see a grumpy girl/boy in my house” which is followed by instant laughter and a chorus of the next 5 lines of the book. Thank you for being such an inspiration and for providing us with some of the best reading books for our children.
Dear Mem Fox,
We are Kindergarten from St Monica’s School in Richmond, NSW Australia. We really enjoy reading your stories.
Our favourite story is “Possum Magic”. We love Possum Magic so much that we have a special display with a possum and lots of magical stars.
In term 1, we had a special ‘Possum Magic day’ where we ate lamingtons, vegemite, minties and pavlovas!
We really look forward to reading more of your stories in the future.
Your number 1 fans…. Best Wishes
Kindergarten
hi mem
it was interesting to read your speech about jolly phonics, or ‘folly’ rather! i agree, reading is making meaning from print and i can think of nothing worse than forcing children to sound out every word. i have read to my daughter every night since she was born. i can’t say she was interested in reading words though – she was engaged in my story telling!! i have had to wait until she saw her peers reading at school for her to get in the ’swing’ of it. i think it’s important for all parents to know that reading should never be pushed until their child is ready. research in early childhood education has proven this.
Hi Mem,
I was very fortunate to have attended your talk to Brisbane parents and teachers in 2007. I became a mother in 2009 and we even took a book to the hospital for a bit of early reading. (not one of yours though). I bought “Where is the Green Sheep” a couple of years ago and felt sure it would be a fabulous book to read to my baby. She disagreed however. I could read her any book but the minute I so much as opened the front cover of Green Sheep she would cry. My little one still will not permit me to read that book. I find this very funny so I wanted to share. If it is any consolation, she does very much enjoy Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes! Warmest thanks for sharing with us so much of your knowledge and opinions. I have found them to be quite an education over the years. I appreciate the honesty. Congrats on being a grandmother – I only just read about that tonight.
Dear Mem Fox,
I am currently a senior in college studying to be a teacher. This past semester I took a reading interests course and we did an author study on you and your books! I absolutely loved each and everyone. After watching some of the pod-casts you have done it truly inspired me to teach children to read and love books! Do you have any advice to give a future teacher? Thank you for your wonderful work!
Dear Mem Fox,
Last year at this time I worked in a book store and recommened your books to customers all of the time. The greatest joy of my job was when parents came back saying how much their children loved the book I helped them chose; or even better if a child excitedly came in wanting help choosing another book.
Now I am a stay at home Mum to a beautiful baby boy. At the age of just 3 months he is already laughing at your book, “Giraffe in the Bath” and “Where is the Green Sheep”. And he settles down to sleep at night after hearing “Time for Bed.”
I’d like to thank you Mem because now my greatest joy is seeing my son laugh, smile and squirm with joy when I share your books with him.
Thank you!
Hi Mem and I wanted to contact you and say thank you your wonderful talk on Friday in Brisbane.
I was really keen to hear you talk but thought it was a bit of preaching to the converted as I have always loved to read and understood the value of literacy. However I soon realised that I don’t read near enough to my son. I thought three books a day was too much (he never sat still for them) and I just didn’t have the time. But now I understand what an impact reading to him now has for his whole life.
What really struck me from your talk was the value of just sitting with my son and the closeness you share while reading. I’m returning to full-time work next week and to know that I can sit with him for 20mins or so, read some books and create a special time where he is loved and valued above all else is a wonderful thought. It makes me feel a little bit better about going back to work.
Thank you!