An Aussie Adventure

Picture book Possum Magic, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas, is the charming tale of an invisible possum and her magical grandmother.  Originally published in 1983 by Omnibus Books of Australia, it was published by Voyager Books in 1991 in the U.S. and has come to beloved by readers of many cultures.  Children ages 4-7 and their caregivers will enjoy reading of the adventures of Hush and Grandma Poss as they travel all over Australia eating all kinds of traditional Australian foods (Fox’s map and glossary at the end of the book help with discovering more about these things) in order to make invisible Hush visible again.  Vivas’ illustrations are clever, depicting Hush initially as only an outline but gradually as a full-color possum as her culinary adventure with her grandmother breaks grandma’s spell and makes Hush visible again. This story would make a delightful storytime read as children as introduced to new animals, places, and foods.