Marsupial Sue [Paperback]

John Lithgow (Author), Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up

If you're a Kangaroo

through and through,

Just do what Kangaroos do.

Young Sue really doesn't like being a kangaroo, so she goes off to find something better. First she tries climbing the trees like a koala, but that doesn't work. Then she wades into the sea like a platypus, but that's no good either. Finally, Sue joins up with some bouncy, jouncy wallabies...and discovers that being a kangaroo isn't so bad, after all.

Using a jaunty waltz rhythm, actor, comedian, and best-selling author John Lithgow reassures children that they can be happy with who they are.

Editorial Reviews

Review

People Charming.

Publishers Weekly Lithgow's ebullient encore will strike a positive note with book and music lovers alike.

Kirkus Reviews A natural for reading (and singing along) out loud.

About the Author

John Lithgow is the New York Times bestselling author of I Got Two Dogs, Mahalia Mouse Goes to College, Marsupial Sue Presents: The Runaway Pancake, I'm A Manatee, Micawber, Marsupial Sue, The Remarkable Farkle McBride, and Carnival of the Animals. An award-winning actor, he has starred on stage, film, and television. He performs concerts across the country, and has recorded the CDs Farkle and Friends, Singin' in the Bathtub and The Sunny Side of the Street. Visit John at lithgowforkids.com.

Jack E. Davis was senior art director with a a large ad agency before becoming a children's book illustrator. Among the books he has illustrated are Bedhead by Margi Palatini, Metro Cat by Marsha Diane Arnold, Music Over Manhattan by Mark Karlins, and the ongoing series The Zack Files by Dan Greenburg. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington, and has three sons and two cats.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689874103
• ISBN-13: 978-0689874109
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Writing a children's book was not something that I pursued. It pursued me. It started when I was asked to write a narration for a symphony for kids. I realized that it had the text for a book. From that text "The Remarkable Farkle McBride" was born. And once the first book was successful, others followed.

My sixth (!) children's book, "Marsupial Sue Presents the Runaway Pancake," was just published this fall. This is a sequel to "Marsupial Sue," one of my most popular storybook characters.This story was inspired in part by two different things: The "Runaway Pancake" song is a guaranteed show stopper whenever I sing it in one of my Paloozicals Concert for Kids , and my performing on Broadway this year in "Dirty Rotton Scoundrels" made me think that Sue might like to put on a show of her own with all of her animal friends.

I credit my parents for fostering my love of literature and books. I have fond memories of my father reading chapters aloud from great thick books like "The Jungle Book" and "A Teller of Tales".

I have carried on my father's tradition by reading aloud to my own kids when they were little. I have also started a few traditions of my own, like singing to them and playing really mediocre guitar, building castles with them out of refrigerator boxes and treasure hunts across museums. Once I even created a very elaborate paper chase across the entire campus of UCLA for my daughter Phoebe's 16th Birthday. Some of these games were inspiration for all of the Lithgow Palooza books and books with kits that have been published by both Simon and Schuster and Running Press.

Although writing is an arduous process for me, there is nothing better than seeing a child falling in love with one of my stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books for kids!, September 3, 2011

By 

A. G. YOU (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marsupial Sue (Paperback)

I really love this story. It is so much fun to read to my baby girl. It reads like a song and since she's into music, she really loves it too. I love the positive message of the book too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Australia, August 23, 2011

By 

Lynn B. Wrzosek "library storyteller" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marsupial Sue (Hardcover)

Marsupial Sue not only is a catchy rhyming story but also a great read about some of the animals native to Australia. If you are doing a unit on Australia, this is a great story for K-2. The illustrations are vivid and captivating, the rhyme is not forced and moves the story along nicely. The moral of being yourself is the best way to go is subtle and worked in smoothly with the story. All in all, Marsupial Sue is an excellent read-aloud-one sure to please your younger storytime attendees.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! - absolutely need the Farkle and Freinds CD too, April 8, 2010

By 

Google and watch Dr. Bernadine Healy on CBS N... (Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marsupial Sue (Hardcover)

This story captures the euphoria of childhood fun with true friends, and the challenge of finding that social success. Being yourself and finding yourself are the path to naturally finding your own social "kind".

I bought the book because I love the song, and I love John Lithgow's kid's materials. The song is fantastic with a great message. Be yourself and find YOUR group - the people that are like you and will make your life joyful.

I'm not sure why the "I got 2 Dogs" (aka Fanny and Blue) book came with a CD of the song and this book did not?!

Whatever the case may be, buy Farkle and Friends by Lithgow and play it with the book. The song IS THE STORY.