I must say I have been quite restrained with how many books I have kept over the years, but I could never part with some of my beloved childhood favourite’s. This week for Throwback Thursday I am going to share with you one of my most cherished picture books from my childhood and tell you why I ♥♥♥ it so much.

Possum Magic

“Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss”. (Mem Fox)

 
 
So many of us in Australia have read that first paragraph over and over, the story of a little possum whose grandma makes him invisible. Hush had so many adventures that took him to many places, sometimes fraught with danger and other times a whole lot of fun. From here the journey began to become visible once again.
It is quite hard to pin point why this book is so lovable, but I think it relates to most Australian children because it mentions states that they live in and food they resonate with; Vegemite sandwiches, lamingtons and Anzac biscuits. Hush is such an endearing character that draws us into how much fund she has sliding down kangaroos, and staying safe from snakes but also felt a longing to remember what she looked like.
Mem Fox has always been one of my favourite authors. Her books are timeless and so beautifully written for the reader. My copy of the book is 33 years old and as you can see it has been well read. This book is still being sold today as an anniversary edition and loved by a whole new generation of children.
There are two pages in the book that I have always loved, one being where Grandma Poss is making Hush invisible. Reading it as a child I was always engrossed in this picture, at the time the colours were still very vibrant, but even their dulling from age hasn’t spoilt that for me.

The second being Hush eating lamingtons in Hobart, I remember being able to hardly believe that my home state at the time was mentioned in a book.

If you have never read this book then I highly recommend that you do. It really is an Australian classic. Mem Fox recommends it for 3-10 year olds, however I believe that you are never too old to enjoy a good picture book.
Want to see more? Click on the following link and you can hear Mem Fox reading the book for you, she is a fabulous story teller. http://memfox.com/books/possum-magic/
Enjoy.