Possum Magic

When Grandma Poss uses her Bush Magic to make Hush invisible, the little possum has many amusing adventures: being squashed by koalas, riding down the backs of kangaroos, and hiding (as her grandmother intended!) from snakes. But when she decides that she wants to see herself again, Grandma announces that the cure lies in eating human food, of... some kind. And so the pair sets off around Australia, eating Anzac biscuits in Adelaide, Minties in Melbourne, and Vegemite sandwiches in Darwin...

A picture-book travelogue/fantasy featuring two of the most adorable didelphine heroines in literature, Possum Magic is an Australian tour-de-force, and one of two titles that author Mem Fox and illustrator Julie Vivas worked on together (the other show more being Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge). The story is engaging enough - I liked the inclusion of so many uniquely Australian treats - but it is the artwork that really makes the book! Vivas' creatures are amusing, endearing, and simply delightful; her scenes magical and involving! Highly recommended to all young readers who appreciate magical stories, animal stories, or Australian stories! show less

A gorgeous classic. Baby possum travels around Australia trying different Ozzie foods to try and cure his invisibility. Makes me hungry.

This book was different and creative. I think it was interesting how the story is about possums and magical tendencies. I think a good point in this story is how sometimes we can be overprotective for our family members and things can get tricky at times. This almost reminds me of a disney movie, ratatouille. The talking animals and magic were entertaining to read. I think this would be most appropriate for grades k - 2.

This story was actually really deep for me, because the grandmother decides to shelter the grandchild for so long that in the long run limits Hush from being their own person and in a way limiting them to who they are. I think this was deep for me because in our culture, we tend to keep the training wheels on for our children way longer than others. I think it is a good book that sends a good message.

This was a great book by a great author and an equally great illustrator. The book is about a young possum named Hush who is very well guarded by his grandmother and her "possum magic." His grandmother can keep him safe with her possum magic by making him invisible, but eventually, Hush wants to be seen, and heard... he wants his freedom to be who he wishes. I think that there are two themes here, one is that of the power of love, grandma's heart is certainly in the right place whilst she protects young Hush, and the other theme is one of coming of age. Grandma learns that part of loving Hush is to let him be free to learn and explore for himself, and of course young Hush learns just how deep, and powerful his grandma's love is for him. show more This is a good book to introduce concepts of love and companion, but also about setting healthy boundaries. show less

A sweet and beautiful illustrated Australian story about a little possum who is made invisible and after a while doesn't want to be invisible anymore. He and his grandmother travel throughout Australia to find the right food to turn him back. This book shows how we try to protect our children by keeping them hidden, but one day they will want to be a part of the world. Therefore, we must accept desire for freedom and to be seen by the world.

If you need a book about diversity and cultures for young children, read "Possum Magic" with them. The illustrations by Julie Vivas are beautiful and convey the mood very well: when grandma Poss and Hush were sad, they were both drawn in shades of blue and grey, but when they took a trip, the colors come alive again. I also loved that there is a glossary of Australian terms and map of Australia with the food trip details on it in the back of the book. This book can be used to teach a lesson about culture of Australia, wild animals, or food from foreign countries. It made me hungry for Vegemite sandwich, that's for sure!