About this episode
The episode discusses the Australian picture book 'Possum Magic' by Mem Fox and Julia Vivas, exploring its cultural significance and success.
It's time to bring out the big guns. The big... Australian guns, that is. The last time we did a Mem Fox title on this podcast it had to have been Where Is the Green Sheep? And the last time we did a Julia Vivas? It was probably The Nativity. Put the two creators together and you have yourself a fascinating tale of a new picture book author attempting to create something wholly Australian for the picture book buying public. Australian Listeners Beware: We do some truly regrettable, terrible Australian accents in the course of this recording. This book would go on to sell 5 million copies, which we think we can count as a success. For the full Show Notes you can read on here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/04/20/fuse-8-n-kate-possum-magic-by-mem-fox-ill-julie-vivas/
People in this episode
Hosts: Betsy Bird, Kate Atienza
Topics covered
- Australian picture books
- Mem Fox
- Julia Vivas
- children's literature
- book success
- accents
Keywords
- Possum Magic
- Mem Fox
- Julia Vivas
- Australian literature
- children's books
- book sales
- accents
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Possum Magic, Where Is the Green Sheep?, The Nativity
More episodes of Fuse 8 n' Kate
- Episode 412 - Sheep in a Jeep and Sheep in a Shop · June 8, 2026 · 23 min
- Episode 411 - Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy · June 1, 2026 · 24 min
- Episode 410 - The Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll & the Broom Handle and Who Was in It · May 25, 2026 · 30 min
- Episode 409 - Princess Smartypants · May 18, 2026 · 29 min
- Episode 408 - Uncle Andy's · May 11, 2026 · 30 min
- Episode 407 - Doña Flor · May 4, 2026 · 30 min
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