Book Review Unit 1: Possum Magic

 

1. Bibliography: Fox, Mem. Possum Magic. Illustrated by Julie Vivas, Harcourt, 1983.

2. Plot Summary: In Possum Magic, Grandma Poss is a bush magic-wielding possum living in the Australian outback. She uses her powers to protect her granddaughter, Hush, by making her invisible, with her main goal of keeping her safe from the dangers of the world, specifically snakes. It has other unintended outcomes, allowing Hush to play unseen among her bush friends. At first, invisible life is fun and carefree, but as Hush gets older, she wants to know what she looks like, so she asks her grandma to make her seen again. Grandma Poss is happy to oblige, but quickly realizes that she doesn’t have the spell in her books to turn Hush visible again. One evening, she remembers that the visible spell has something to do with eating HUMAN food, not possum food, and so begins their journey across varying cities in Australia. The grandma and granddaughter possum search for the magical foods that will undo the spell. They nibble their way through some very iconic Aussie snacks and treats(most of which I didn’t recognize, but thanks to Bluey, I did immediately notice pavlova!), hoping each bite will bring Hush a little more back into the world. They FINALLY find some of the food that begins to work, bringing her back a little at a time. With their final bites at a casino, Hush’s full visibility is restored. The story ends with Grandma Poss and hush eating those same foods every year on Hush’s birthday, just to make sure that she always stays visible.

3. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers): This book was SO sweet to read. I liked it because it seemed to be a celebration of both love of family and all that a culture has to offer. Possum Magic is rich with Australian culture!!! The story features animals we’ve come to associate with Australia like possums, wombats, and kookaburras. But what really gives the story its flavor (literally and figuratively) are the distinctly Australian food, places, and language woven into the whole plot of the story. From cities like Adelaide and Darwin to foods like Anzac biscuits, Vegemite sandwiches, and pavlova, the journey is steeped in a very specific cultural identity. We as reader’s couldn’t mistake this as taking place in the American Midwest, for example. It gives such a fun glimpse into life in Australia, especially for readers who may not be familiar with it, other than watching Bluey!!! The plot is backed up with this adorable narrative of a grandma and her granddaughter that both just seem down to earth, and who love each other very much. The artist gives Hush and Grandma Poss so much personality that they jump off the page, and the soft colors and expressive faces pull readers into their little world as they are going on their journey. Even if a reader has never been to Australia or tasted these foods, the vibe from all of this being put together make it feel relatable and endearing. It makes us say, “Hey, I want to GO there and EXPERIENCE that, bring it to life for myself and see where Grandma Poss and Hush went.” This book is a strong example of a culturally specific text. It’s not just a universal (like Cinderella for example that can be molded to different times and places)tale with a possum plugged into it. It’s deeply rooted in Australian traditions, food, geography, and language. BUT, the thing that makes it so impactful for readers is the emotional core of the story is universal, making it a great “mirror” for Australian children and a “window” for readers from elsewhere. I got to experience this magic first hand while reading this book. When I read “Possum Magic,” I did a YouTube read aloud where it shows the pages and I can listen along, and my son stopped playing his Switch game when he heard it, and peeked his head over to see what I was doing. (For a twelve year old, even someone who is a self-proclaimed reader, pulling him from a video game is a gargantuan task) He said, "I’VE READ THAT BEFORE MOM! I don't know where, but I know I know that story! I love it!" So he actually sat and listened to the rest of the book as we went through the pages together with the YouTube read aloud. I loved that we had that moment, but it reminds me that these books really do create memories and feelings associated with them, and it’s so important for readers, younger elementary, or even secondary, to have positive associations with all types of book that give us empathy as well as enjoyment.

4. Review Excerpts:

“Another treat from Mem Fox that is sure to be treasured. The whimsical illustrations are a wonderful complement.”--Children’s Book Review Service

“Mem Fox and Julie Vivas provide a delightful story about the trials of an invisible possum as they take readers on a romp all over Australia. They fuse text and illustrations together so masterfully that it seems like a sleight of hand. Presto change-o: one enchanting book.”

-Horn Book Guide

Connections:

This book is one I would be recommend in an elementary library, especially during storytimes or units focused on international literature. It’s a great way to introduce kids to Australian culture in a fun, engaging way, but it also creates space for those universal conversations about family, safety, independence, and the magic of being seen. In Hush’s case it is a LITERAL invisibility, but it could spawn some good conversations with students about what it can be like to feel like we aren’t being seen. This could pair with a geography unit as well for cross curricular, or could even be a book study. A librarian or teacher would have to consider food allergies, but a mini-feast could even be brought in to bring the book to life. A teacher or librarian could also do an interactive map to show all of the places that Grandma Poss and Hush visit on their travels.