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Campus hunts down
Fox to discuss children's books
By Jamillah R. Gabriel
On-line Forty-Niner
Australian children's
author and literacy expert, Mem Fox, will visit Cal State
Long Beach for a reading and book signing today. The event,
sponsored by the University Library and A Whale of a Tale
children's bookstore, will be held at 2 p.m. on the fifth
floor of the University Library.
Fox will discuss her latest book, "Reading Magic: Why
Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever,"
and the impact that reading aloud to children has on their
lives and ability to learn.
The renowned author has written more than 25 books including
such favorites as "Possum Magic," "Koala Lou,"
and "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge." A former
associate professor of literacy studies at Flinders University
in Adelaide, Australia, Fox uses her books to depict universal
themes such as the caring relationships of death, love, and
jealousy between children and adults.
"She writes with emotion and a lot of intellectual impact,"
said Sylvia Maxson, professor of teacher education. "[She]
talks about issues that are very important for children to
learn."
Though she first gained attention from writing children's
picture books, Fox has also written books about literacy for
educators and parents, such as "Reading Magic" and
"Radical Reflections: Passionate Opinions on Teaching,
Learning, and Living."
"She's always been passionate about literacy and it's
development," said Alex Uhl, owner of A Whale of a Tale,
who has been instrumental in bringing Fox to CSULB for the
event.
Uhl noted that Fox is well known for her children's books
but she is internationally known for her expertise in literacy.
Fox advocates reading aloud to children during the first three
years of their lives because it is the crucial period for
brain and social development. In "Reading Magic,"
she cites a Swedish study that shows that reading aloud to
children has positive effects, such as an increased desire
for education, greater prospects in employment and a decrease
in negative behavior.
"She is a pioneer in the whole language movement,"
said Jerry Edwards, literary specialist at Santa Fe Springs
City Library. He said that Fox has been a major influence
in making reading aloud to children part of the curriculum
in early education.
Specifically, Edwards said "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge"
is not only a great read-aloud book, but that it promotes
critical thinking by encouraging children to look for things
to try to find answers to their questions.
The reading will be open to the public and admission is free.
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