Four-year-old Amelia Miller wasn't sure which Fox book was her favourite, but her mother Renee Miller, 26, said Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? were on constant rotation. ''Every night or several times a day,'' she said.

Along with illustrator Judy Horacek, Fox read her latest book, Good Night, Sleep Tight, to the young audience in rounds. The much-loved author kept her fans spellbound with a highly animated performance.

But when it came to signing copies of her various books, Possum Magic was the most presented title. More than 3 million copies of the book have been sold, making it the best-selling picture book of all time in Australia.

The book turns 30 in March and 29-year-old Kate Thompson enjoyed the experience of Fox reading to her as a child.

''She [Fox] came to Holt Primary and read to us … I'm not sure what she read though,'' Ms Thompson said.

The Chifley resident said she wanted to make sure her two nieces, Maya and Rose, shared a similar experience.

Fox said it wonderful to meet the second generation of her fans in Canberra.

''It happens all the time; I've been around for so long I can tell people of a certain age know Possum Magic. It's lovely, it's really lovely,'' she said. ''If I last long enough, I'll be signing three generations. I have every intention of lasting until 87, because Possum Magic will be 50 by then.''

Fox and Horacek attended the library as part of the National Year of Reading.

The 66-year-old Fox, who is an avid campaigner of children's literacy, said parents should read to their children for 10 minutes every day.

''Parents should love their children enough to read to them,'' she said. ''It takes three books a day to give the educational advantage.''

Fox said her past three books were inspired by her grandson Theo, who was born weighing just one kilogram. Theo is the son of Fox's daughter, Chloe Fox, who is a Labor MP and Minister for Transport Services in South Australia.