Australian children’s book author, Mem, Fox has handed out signed copies of her much-loved book Possum Magic to refugee families arriving in Australia from Afghanistan.
The author was contacted by fellow Adelaide resident, Nicole Erfurth (pictured, left with Mem), who wanted to show her support after an ADF flight carrying refugees arrived in the South Australian capital last week.
“Like many others, I was crying happy tears when I saw the Afghani people arrive this week. I wanted to help but I wasn’t sure how, then I realised how very little these people would have, especially the kids,” Ms Erfurth wrote on Facebook.
The mother of a three-year-old said she reached out to the famous author for help with her idea of a gift for the arriving families.
“Not realising she lives 10 minutes from me. I’m still in shock, but Mem herself texted me back this morning and within a few hours, she had turned up to my work with 30 personally signed books for these little kidlets who just fled their war torn country.”
“You and I grew up reading Possum Magic in our childhood, and as parents to our babies. Now these refugees will also get to do that. How wonderful is that.”
She said each book was signed with a different welcome message for the refugee children.
“The situation of these refugees has broken our heartsy,” Ms Fox told Daily Mail Australia.
“I think it’s important to be kind… it’s just common decency,” she added.
‘Welcome to Australia. One day you will be Australian too. I’m so glad you are here.’ Ms Fox wrote on one copy of her book, Possum Magic.
