Possum Magic is a popular Australian children's book written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas. It was first published in 1983. The story follows the magical journey of two possums named Hush and Grandma Poss. In the book, Grandma Poss uses her bush magic to make Hush invisible in order to protect her from dangers in the wild. However, after a while, Hush becomes curious about her own identity and wants to be visible again. Together, Grandma Poss and Hush embark on a journey across Australia to find the right spell that will make Hush visible again.
Upside-Down Magic premieres Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel and will be available on DisneyNOW beginning Saturday, Aug. 1. Check out the exclusive trailer below.
The movie centers around 13-year-old Nory Boxwood Horace Rose , who discovers that she can flux into animals, and her best friend Reina Carvajal Agudong , who can manipulate flames, as they enter the Sage Academy for Magical Studies. Reina s ability to expertly harness the power of fire lands her at the top of her class of Flares, but Nory s wonky magic and proclivity for turning into a Dritten a half-kitten, half-dragon lands her in a class for those with defective, Upside-Down Magic, otherwise known as UDM.
Together, Grandma Poss and Hush embark on a journey across Australia to find the right spell that will make Hush visible again. Throughout their journey, Hush and Grandma Poss encounter various iconic Australian landmarks and sample different Australian foods, which are depicted in the illustrations. Each landmark and food they experience provides a clue to finding the right spell.
Disney Debuts Teaser Trailer for “Upside-Down Magic”
Disney Channel has shared the teaser and logo for the next Disney Channel Original Movie, Upside-Down Magic.
What’s Happening:
- Disney Channel released a teaser trailer for their next DCOM, Upside-Down Magic.
- The trailer shows a magical forest with an invisible being moving through it and a child giggling before the logo appears.
- A release date has yet to be announced, but the trailer says the film is coming this summer.
- Disney first acquired the rights to the children’s book of the same name in 2015, originally planned as a TV series. Click here to read the story.
- Last August, Disney announced that the production was now going to be a movie and gave a cast announcement .
- Upside-Down Magic is written by Nick Pustay (Ramona and Beezus) and Josh Cagan (Kim Possible) with Suzanne Farwell (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give) and Susan Cartsonis (Descendants 3, The Duff) executive producing.
- Joe Nussbaum (Just Add Magic, Gabby Duran & The Unsittables), will also executive produce as well as direct.
Upside Down Magic Cast:
- Izabela Rose
- Siena Agudong (No Good Nick)
- Vicki Lewis ( Finding Nemo , Newsradio)
- Kyle Howard (My Boys)
- Elie Samouhi ( Bizaardvark )
- Alison Fernandez (Once Upon a Time)
- Max Torina ( Raven’s Home )
- Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (Prince of Peoria)
- Elaine Kao (American Koko)
- Yasmeen Fletcher ( Andi Mack )
- Amitai Marmorstein (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency)
- Callum Seagram Airlie (When Calls the Heart)
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The trailer for Upside-Down Magic features many easy comparisons to Harry Potter, from being sorted into different groups based on strengths, classes pertaining to different kinds of magic, adventures in the woods, and a group of plucky best friends on a mission to save everyone from forces of evil. But Upside-Down Magic comes with an exciting 2020 update as female main characters take the lead.
Possum Magic is not only a enchanting and whimsical tale, but it also serves as a celebration of Australian culture and the connection between generations. The book highlights the importance of family, identity, and the magic of storytelling. The book's main idea is to convey the message that one's identity and heritage are something to be celebrated and cherished. This is portrayed through the characters of Hush and Grandma Poss, who are proud of their Australian roots and determined to find a way to preserve Hush's unique identity. Possum Magic has become a beloved classic in Australian children's literature. It has been translated into several languages and has won numerous awards. The book's engaging narrative and captivating illustrations continue to delight and inspire young readers worldwide..
Reviews for "Exploring the Themes of Independence and Self-Discovery in 'Possum Magic"
- Emma - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Possum Magic". The story was dull and predictable, and the illustrations were lackluster. I expected much more from a book that is touted as a classic. I found it hard to stay engaged, and my child quickly grew bored with it as well. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and captivating read for children.
- Jason - 2 stars - "Possum Magic" didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot seemed scattered and disjointed, making it difficult to follow and understand. Additionally, the illustrations were not very appealing, and the characters lacked depth and development. It felt like a rushed attempt at creating a children's book. I would advise parents to look for better options out there.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Possum Magic" to be quite underwhelming. The story was vague and lacked a clear message or moral. The illustrations were also rather dull and failed to capture my attention or imagination. I believe there are much more engaging and enriching children's books available, so I wouldn't recommend this one. It simply didn't live up to my expectations.