Mem was born in Australia, grew up in Africa, studied drama in England and returned to Adelaide, Australia in 1970. She lives there with her husband Malcolm and her only daughter, Chloe. She is the most highly regarded picture-book author in Australia. Her book "Possum Magic", was the best selling children's book ever in her homeland. She sold over four million copies there. In the USA her best books are "Time for Bed" and "Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge - both selling a million copies each. "Time for Bed" hit Oprah's book list weighing in as one of the best children's books of all time. Pretty impressive eh?
She has written over thirty children's books and five non-fiction books for adults including my favourite, "Reading Magic",aimed at parents of very young children.
She was the Associate Professor in Literary Studies at Flinders University in Adelaide, where she taught teachers for twenty-four years (oh that I had been one of them!). She took early retirement in 1996.
She has received multiple awards, honours and accolades, including two honorary doctorates (Wonder if she would give me one of them? Does she really need two?} She is a very influential international consultant on literacy. Her latest book is "Giraffe in the Bath." She is a one-of-a-kind and her books are above excellence. She is spontaneous, fun, hilarious and a true kid at heart. She is infectious and that is why people love her and her work.
Some of her books include:
Hunwick's Egg
Possum Magic
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge
Time For Bed
Whoever You Are
Wombat Divine
Koala Lou
Boo To A Goose
Hattie And The Fox
Shoes From Grandpa
Mem's The Word
Radical reflections
English Essentials" the wouldn't=be=without=it guide to writing well
Green Sheep, Secrets
Hello Baby!
Ten Little Fingers
Be sure to check her out and read on.
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