Customer Reviews

Epossumondas

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

I bought this one mostly due to the art. I loved the photo type backgrounds contrasted with the drawings. This has been a huge hit with my 3 year old daughter. She thinks it is hilarious! It is requested nightly. She really "gets" this type of humor at her age. She has also picked up on the fact that the possum is no longer sent to do the errands because of his mistakes. She tries it on me, now!

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.

Ms. Salley has brought her love of storytelling to print and we should all be grateful. For many years Ms. Salley was a beloved professor of children's literature at the University of New Orleans. She is a well-known and respected storyteller, entertaining children and adults every year at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Not to mention her Mardi Gras parade of many years, with shopping cart in tow.

This book is loved by children of all ages as the illustrations are glorious and the text is great fun to read. A secret... the woman in the illustrations is based on none other than Ms. Salley!

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!

My daughter love's this book. They have it at daycare and somedays she would just out of nowhere start reciting something. She's 3 so I didn't completely understand her but it was the same every time. I finally asked her what she was saying and now she has her own book.

Epossumondas is the story of a foolish possum that is adored by his Mama and Auntie. Each day, Mama sends Epossumondas to visit his Auntie, and Auntie sends Epossumondas home with a gift. Epossumondas brings each gift home according to his Mama's directions. Unfortunately, Epossumondas is unable to determine the best way to carry the gift home. He applies Mama's most recent directions to the new gift.

Salley includes a note to explain "noodlehead" stories. This is a great read-aloud for kindergarten-third grade! The language in the story leads the reader to read with a Southern accent. Coleen Salley and Janet Stevens fit the text and illustrations on the pages perfectly so that nothing is revealed too soon.

This is my new favorite children's book. I heard a reading consultant read this book aloud at a conference, and it was so wonderful. I love it!

When I chose this book to read to the K-2's in my school, I was unfamiliar with the term "noodlehead story". What a wealth of different voices and characters for storytime Epossumondas is. The kids all went "AAAWWWWWWWW" when they saw the baby opossum with his pacifier. It's totally endearing.