ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 61 | February 2003
Mem Fox: A Celebration
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| Mem Fox signing copies of the celebration publication |
Each year, the Friends of the National Library of Australia celebrate the work of an eminent figure in the world of Australian literature and publishing, someone who has made an outstanding contribution in their field. In the last few years, the Friends have honoured such diverse personalities as David Malouf, Michael Leunig, Rosemary Dobson, Katharine Brisbane and Tim Winton. In 2002 the life and work of one Australias, and the worlds, most revered and popular childrens authors, Mem Fox, was recognised.
In the 20 years that Mem has been writing, she has produced 26 picture books, several autobiographical works, some vigorous guides for teachers and parents, and many essays and papers. She is the author of the mega-selling Possum Magic, which many years ago passed the million copies sold mark, and which remains Australias most popular school library book 19 years after its initial publication. The accolades bestowed upon Mem include the 1990 Dromkeen Medal for distinguished services to childrens literature; an Advance Australia Award in 1991 for her outstanding contribution to Australian literature; a medal in the 1993 Australia Day Honours Awards for services to the cultural life of Australia; and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wollongong in 1996. She is a household name in many countries, one of the 10 authors most loved by Americans, and one of Australias top-earning authors.
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| Mem Fox with Professor Belle Alderman and members of the audience |
Mem Fox: A Celebration compiled by Jennifer Moran, literary editor for the Canberra Times, and published by the National Library to mark the occasion, brings together four essays that pay tribute to the author, her passion, creativity and flamboyance. A contributor herself, Jennifer explores the influences that shaped Mem, and saw her emerge as a successful writer; Belle Alderman, Professor of Childrens Literature at the University of Canberra, analyses the qualities that underpin Mems writing, qualities closely linked to the authors beliefs as an educator and a storyteller; Julie Vivas, whose striking illustrations adorn several of Mems books, tells of her creative relationship with Mem and her admiration for her; and Jane Covernton, Mems first editor and publisher, writes of how impressed she was by Mems theatrical drive, and her ability to immerse her readers into the emotional content of her books. All four contributors recognise that the special attributes of Mems stories charm not only children, but also the adults who read those stories aloud.
On 1 December, nearly 200 people came to the National Library for the
launch by Professor Belle Alderman of Mem Fox: A Celebration. The
audience were greeted by a foyer and theatre decked out with balloons and
lollies, making for a very colourful spectacle. But for spectacle, there is no
surpassing Mem herself: we were familiar with her background in theatre, but
nothing prepared us for the performance she delivered. Her superb acceptance
speech and subsequent reading from her most recent book The Magic Hat
had the entire audience mesmerised and eating out of her hand, and Mem deftly
controlled their every emotional response. Later that afternoon, while she
signed hundreds of books, her charm and charisma left no doubts that we were in
the presence of someone very special, with her own particular brand of
magic.
James Halligan, Executive Officer, Friends of the National
Library of Australia
| Contents list for this issue of Gateways |
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: gateways@nla.gov.au