Epossumondas

My toddler loves this book! The illustrations are fabulous and the storyline is so funny! We ask our daughter if she would carry the butter on her head and she loves to say NOOO! We also saw an actual opossum recently and that made the book an even bigger hit at our house.

The style in which this work is written is absolutely priceless! When reading it to children I do suggest you practice your southern accent (if you don't already have one), as the story hinges on the wonderful dialect and silly words. Our little hero, Epossumondas mixes it up with a big old Louisana Snapping Turtle and the story is absolutely hilarious. The art work by Janet Stevens fits the story line perfectly and the style was made for a tale such as this. I will agree, sort of, with another reviewer who felt that those who live in the south might appreciate this more than northern folk. This may or may not be so. I do know that this is one of the works that the kids at school will ask to be read to them over and over again and they love the pictures. I also must admit to a certain bias when it comes to these strange little creatures. For several years now I have had one (along with a raccoon) that sets on the back poarch with me each evening eating the cat food I place there. We have had some wonderful conversations. Highly recommend this one and other works by the author and illustrator.

I completely adore this book, as do my children. Every year in their schools, there is a 'Read Across America' day. All day, volunteers and invited guests come in to read to the children from their own favorite books in honor of Dr. Seuss. This is one book I take every time. I tried to avoid reading it to my daughter's third grade class after having read it to them the previous year, and they DEMANDED it (I had it with me to read to a different class next, who hadn't heard it yet). You truly must read it with a heavy Southern accent (regardless of where you are from!), and the children think it's delightful. They are riveted and laugh uproariously at his goofyness. I personally love this book, and if you end up thinking it's funny too, you need to also buy, 'The Tiny, Tiny Boy and the Big Big Cow', by Nancy Van Laan Knopf . Hilarious, and so much fun to read!

This book is a thrill. Sometimes we read it to our child twice in a row it is so much fun! Fun fun fun. Magical and just crazy enough to come back again and again. Why does that possum have a diaper?!

I am a wildlife rehabilitator and I specialize in possums; therefore, when looking for a gift for my twin 4-year-old cousins, I called Borders and requested "any children's book about opossums". I always say it takes a special person to love an opossum because most people think they are big rats! And so I love to show children the possum babies and they love them and don't think they're ugly at all. They never fear an opossum again. They know that you can't "play" with an opossum because "possums don't play. they're just curious and hungry." And so I went to pick up this book on my way to the birthday party, and I was crying from laughter in the parking lot. I am 20 and have been accused of having a weird sense of humor (I'm a possum girl, go figure) and this book was so damn cute, I couldn't stand it! I love to read this book over and over to my 6 cousins and their friends. They age from 1-10 years old and they all think it is hilarious even after the 50th time I read it to them. For any child I have to find a gift for, I get them this book. And even for infants because I know it will become a favorite. This is the book that your child will pretend to read because they have the words memorized. Who can resist a silly little possum in a diaper!? I advertise this book to people; it also shows that Epossumondas just does exactly what he is told and does his very best. And in the end, even after he messed up so many times, his mama and auntie still love him very much. I feel this gives a good message to children. In development, at the age of 2 children learn that mommy may say "no" or get angry, but that mommy still loves them. Many children today are traumatized at this age and do not learn this vital behaviour. This book depicts love perfectly.

"Epossumondas was his mama's and his auntie's sweet little patootie. They just loved him to death. Epossumondas used to go see his auntie most every day, and she nearly always gave him something to take home with him..." So begins renowned storyteller, Colleen Salley's, clever folktale about an endearing little possum who always follows his human mama's directions a little too literally with hilarious results. As she tells the reader in the Storyteller's Note, Epossumondas is a noodlehead story. "Mishaps occur but are not caused deliberately. The humor is gentle and silly. The plot may be highly improbable, but not impossible-it could happen." Ms Salley's engaging text just begs to be read aloud and is complemented by award winning illustrator, Janet Stevens, captivating, bold and bright artwork. Children will revel in all the eye-catching detail and marvelous facial expressions as they linger over each page. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Epossumondas is a fun-filled, witty and warm romp little ones will want to read again and again, and is sure to become an instant favorite at your house.