Possum Magic Animals

Possum Magic Animals by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Omnibus Books)
HB RRP $9.99 [board book]
ISBN 978-1-86291-973-0
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Possum Magic Animals is a new book which introduces very young readers to the characters from Mem Fox’s classic story Possum Magic. Beginning with Grandma Poss – who looks at her reflection in the water while brushing her teeth – and the word possum, each page in this wonderfully simple board book has the name of an animal and Vivas’ beautiful illustration of that character. It moves through all the animals who inhabit Hush’s and Grandma Poss’ world – snake, kangaroo, wombat – ending with friends and goodnight.
As in the original story, the illustrations are soft with a touch of gentle humour. Some of them contain subtle hints about the Possum Magic storyline.

Classically Australian, this is a beautiful book for every baby to begin their ‘reading’ life with. A sturdy board book with a cloth spine, it would make the perfect gift for any new baby, toddler, or expectant mother in your life.

Possum Magic

Possum Magic by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Omnibus Books)
HB RRP $29.99
ISBN 978-1-74299-000-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Possum Magic is one of the best selling picture books in Australia. It is an enduring classic which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Possum Magic is the story of Hush and Grandma Poss who live happily together in the Australian bush. Grandma Poss makes bush magic and her best magic is the one which makes Hush invisible. This provides the little possum with not only amusement, but safety as well.

The problem begins when Hush wants to know what she looks like and Grandma Poss cannot find the magic which will make Hush visible again. So Hush and her grandma travel around Australia tasting classic Aussie foods. They eat ‘Minties in Melbourne’, ‘pumpkin scones in Brisbane’ and keep tasting through cities until the possum’s body begins to appear.

Possum Magic is a wonderful book. The text and illustrations weave seamlessly together and there is a magical quality to the story which endears it to children and adults everywhere, placing it firmly in their hearts.

This 30th anniversary edition is a stunning book - cloth bound with a slipcase - it would make a wonderful gift. The front cover is red with a beautiful small illustration of Grandma Poss reading at night to the invisible Hush, who is peering over her shoulder. It is a simple classy cover for a classic book.

This edition will only be available during 2013 and deserves to be on every child’s bookshelf.  

Possum Magic Numbers

 Possum Magic - Numbers [Board book] by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Omnibus books)
HB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-972-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Possum Magic is one of Australia’s best loved and well-known picture books, still widely popular after more than 25 years in print. Possum Magic Numbers brings those much adored bush characters back to life in a counting adventure for the very young.

This beautifully presented board book starts with Grandma Poss, ‘one possum’ climbing a tree and ends with a branch full of sleepy animals watching the stars. The artwork of Julie Vivas, who illustrated Possum Magic, is full of magic as well. These are gorgeous pictures, soft and gentle, bringing Fox’s characters to life. They flow wonderfully. Grandma Poss drops a slipper, which falls past ‘two kookaburras’ on the next page, who lose a feather which ‘three koalas’ then play with. This creates the narrative in the counting book. The slippers weave in and out of the pages which also tie the book back to the original Possum Magic.

This is a board book any parent could happily read many times a day and is sturdy enough for babies and toddlers to look at and play with over and over again. It would be a lovely Christmas gift for any new babies in your life. Read it and revisit the bush magic of Grandma Poss, Hush and the lamingtons.