Issue 102

What role have libraries played in your life?

I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa, so libraries didn’t play a huge role in my early life. But at high school I spent a lot of time in the Bulawayo Library (our major city library) which was very well endowed at the time, and full of excellent non-fiction that I devoured for my studies. I loved being surrounded by open books, and losing myself in the silence and the knowledge I was gaining. Making information connections between one book and another was like an exciting journey of discovery. It was uplifting.

How can we promote a love of reading in children?

There are two fundamental ways we can help children love reading. First, by borrowing vast quantities of books from libraries from the time children are babies, and reading at least three marvellous stories to them every day before they start school. It could be the same book three times. Second, we could insist that every primary and high school had a trained librarian who knows students’ individual tastes and can cater for them: who knows books and what is new and cool; who knows how to read aloud; and who knows how to inspire kids to go above and beyond their current level of interest.

What inspired you to go down the path of children’s literature?

I had loved reading from the earliest age and was acknowledged to be a good writer in my high school years. I had a latent ambition to be a writer back then, but I sidestepped that idea and went to drama school for three years instead. I wrote Possum Magic as an assignment in a children’s literature course at Flinders University, as a mature age student. Without that shove, I doubt I would have started. Thank God I had an inspiring lecturer, Felicity Hughes, who encouraged me and believed in me.

What has been your most memorable experience working in children’s literature?

After 34 years, there have been so many exquisite moments that I can’t really choose between them. Recently, however, I read my latest book, I’m Australian too, to a high school class of refugees who were learning English, and was aghast to find myself choked with sobs at the end of it.

Why do you think school libraries are so necessary for today’s children?

It’s not just the libraries themselves, filled though they are with magical books of all kinds, but also the librarians who are so important. Without their expert guidance, help and inspiration, what’s the point, really? I exaggerate, I know, but honestly: long may librarians live and thrive.

On that note, may I thank the Educational Lending Right for the overwhelming support it has shown to me and to all the other Australian authors of books for children. We are deeply, deeply grateful.

Mem Fox
Adelaide, May 2017