Possum Come A-Knockin' (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author), George Booth (Illustrator) "Ma was busy cookin' in the Kitchen makin' taters when a possum come a-knockin' at the door..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Outside, there's a full moon in the sky and a grinning possum in a top hat with mischief on his mind. Inside, Granny's knitting, Pappy's whittling and other members of a slightly eccentric family are trying to get some chores done. Possum knocks at the door, setting off an hilarious chain reaction as the family pets go wild. The youngest child discovers the cause of the ruckus--only to be made a fool of when Pa and Ma investigate and the possum scurries into hiding. Practically begging to be read aloud, Van Laan's cumulative rhyme is a real toe-tapper, with a delightfully "down-home" flavor and an infectious syncopated rhythm. The characters that populate Booth's cartoon-like illustrations have a goofy charm (Tom-cat looks like a direct descendant of Bloom County's Bill). Ages 4 - 8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Possum tracks on the end papers lead directly to a pink-eyed, long-tailed possum in top hat and vest, energetically knocking on the door to a house. The indoor activities of the family members are viewed through a window and described in a rhyming, rhythmic, erratically cumulative text. "Possum come a-knockin' at the door, at the door. Possum come a-knockin' at the door," says the girl who narrates. When the child finally convinces everyone to look outside, Possum hides behind a tree; they've all been tricked, and one suspects it may all happen again. Booth's trademark swinging lightbulb and demented dog and cat are here, but they're toned down a bit for the audience, and the addition of watercolor seems to have a calming influence as well. There are some problems: the family activities are stereotyped (Pa is hammering, Pappy's whittling, Ma is cooking, Granny's knitting); there may be objections to the use of mountain dialect, and there is an occasional weakness in the text. But children will relish the nonsense of it all and will soon be chanting along. --Leda Schubert, Vermont Department of Education, Montpelier
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books (August 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679834680
• ISBN-13: 978-0679834687
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,324 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possum, September 30, 2005

By	Laura Windridge (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

My family's all-time favorite read-aloud book. This is the only book I was ever willing to read as many times as it was requested. The story and illustrations are whimsical and fun and the rhythm rolling and delightful. A "must have" for any family library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a Teacher, October 19, 2004

By	Sheila Daughtry (South Carolina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Possum Come a Knockin'
Nancy Van Laan
Illustrations by George Booth


A mischievous, well-dressed trickster, Possum, knocks on the door of a busy country family. Chaos ensues with hollerin', fussin' and cussin' when Possum's knockin' disrupts Granny's knittin', Ma's cookin', Pa's fixin', Dawg's a twitchin' and a scratchin' and Pappy's whittlin'. When the whole family stops their activities and quietly opens the door to see who is knocking, wily Possum sneaks off. The Southern dialect brings this knee-slapping, rhythmic, chanting story to life. George Booth's creative illustrations of the family, their pets and the top-hatted Possum add more facets to this tale with his hilarious visual gags. This funny, quirky story will quickly become a favorite of the whole family. Nancy Van Laan's toe-tapping tale with its rich vernacular is often incorporated into primary classroom instruction in music for its rhythm and also in Language Arts instruction as an example in dialects. Possum Come a-Knockin' is a 1990 Parents' Choice Award Winner.

BIBLIO: 1992, A Dragonfly Book Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 3-9, $14.99.
REVIEWER: Sheila Daughtry
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 0-679-83468-0
ISBN: 0679847839

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What'd you do if the wildlife started knocking on your door?, June 18, 2004

By	...Loggie... "Loggie-log-log-log" (I live on the earth, in the western hemisphere, in North America, in the country of the United States of America, in Illinois in the town of Champaign) - See all my reviews

Well, a "Possum come a-knockin' at the door, at the door. Possum come a-knockin' at the door." This possum. By simply knockin' manages to send the whole house into uproar.

This is a great book to read out loud because the words have a natural rhythm and the story sounds much better read out loud because of it. The story flows wonderfully; it has to the way it was written.

The illustrations are also very good. They do an excellent job of capturing the emotions- the devilish smile on the possum's face, the frustration of the narrator, and the bewilderment of the rest of the family.

For all its many wonderful characteristics, the way this book reads is what makes it so special and unique.

Loggie-log-log-log