May 11, 2015
Appleblossom, a small and brave possum, and her 12 siblings learn from their Mama Possum that the world is a stage and that acting is necessary for survival, especially against the various “monsters” (cars, people, pets) that threaten. Ever the explorer, Appleblossom gets stuck inside a small “monster’s” house, complete with a dog and disgusted parents; brothers Antonio and Amlet try to mount a rescue effort while Appleblossom takes on the role of plaything. Sloan (Counting by 7s) divides the story between Appleblossom’s shrewd thinking in the house and her brothers’ search for help in the form of a bedraggled possum named Big Poss, who turns out to be an extraordinary actor. Rosen’s pink-tinged images (not all seen by PW) bring a playfulness to many of the scenes. Amid the homey message that family matters most, Sloan seeds the story with assorted possum facts and vocabulary lessons, but it’s the possum-as-actor metaphor (“Playing dead is one thing. But smelling dead is another. It adds a whole other layer to a possum performance”) that generates the most fun. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House.
April 15, 2015
A young possum topples down a chimney to become the pet of a little girl while her brothers try to rescue her.The runt of a litter of baby possums, Appleblossom spends several months inside her mother's pouch before Mama Possum introduces her babies to the dangerous world. Mama explains that as solitary, nocturnal, nomadic marsupials, they must hide by day and avoid dogs, humans, and cars. When her babies are ready to survive on their own, Mama leaves. Insecure and afraid, Appleblossom and her brothers, Antonio and Amlet, stick together until curious Appleblossom accidentally tumbles down a chimney into the house of a girl named Izzy. Thrilled with her adorable new pet, Izzy pampers Appleblossom and conspires to hide her from her parents and dog. Determined to save Appleblossom, Antonio and Amlet stumble upon their parents, and together they stage a daring raid on Izzy's house. Use of the present tense adds immediacy to Appleblossom, Amlet, and Antonio's naive, amusing, and endearing high jinks. Insights about possums add an educational element to this otherwise comic adventure, while humorous illustrations capture the wee possums' antics and personalities. A warm and funny possum-family saga. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)
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May 1, 2015
Gr 3-6-Mama Possum has done her best to impart wisdom to her newborn "A" possum brood-Antonio, Alisa, Abdul, Ajax, Alberta, Angie, Allan, Alphonse, Atticus, Alejandro, Augusta, Amlet, and the littlest possum, Appleblossom. There are many rules that must be followed in the possum world-never be seen during the day, avoid cars (metal monsters), people, and especially the hairies (dogs). Mama Possum teaches the youngsters how to theatrically play dead to avoid the many calamities facing them daily. Mama tells the babies they are solitary creatures and need to fend for themselves, but when she disappears, the A clan doesn't feel ready to face the world. Appleblossom and two of her brothers, Amlet and Antonio, band together and share stories of their new adventures out in the world. Curious Appleblossom finds a human home with a seemingly nice creature (a little girl named Izzy), but it also houses a terrifying beast of a dog named Columbo, who is intent on sniffing and destroying. When Appleblossom accidentally stumbles down the chimney into the house, it is up to her family to save her. An unlikely friendship and bond forms between Izzy and Appleblossom, and the possum must choose between family and friendship. Sloan has masterfully created an intensely satisfying and humorous tale that makes possums seem utterly adorable. Rosen's charming illustrations pair beautifully with the text, as he draws the possums with intertwined tails, pink noses, and vivid expressions. VERDICT A perfectly sweet animal tale, with just the right blend of humor, excitement, and uncertainty.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2015
Grades 3-5 Introduced at the moment of her birth, Appleblossom is a young possum growing up along with the 12 others in her litter. Mama Possum trains them in possum survival skills: foraging, playing dead convincingly, and avoiding monsters such as people, vehicles, and dogs. Exploring on her own, Appleblossom tumbles down a chimney into a house inhabited by a friendly young girl, her parents, and a decidedly unfriendly dog. Though the endearing possum values her independence, she treasures the family members who bravely attempt a rescue mission. Readers will enjoy both the realistic details of a newborn possum making her way to her mother's pouch, and the fanciful view of adult possums' urban nightlife, complete with rooftop music and a conga line. Best of all is the consistent, convincing presentation of Appleblossom's perspective. Throughout the book, lively black, gray, and pink illustrations portray characters and events. With wide-spaced lines of fairly large type, this attractive book will engage young readers intrigued by animals.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
September 1, 2015
Did you know that possums have Shakespeare, Chekhov, and theater of every sort in their blood? Me either. But such is the case for the thespian marsupials in Sloan's (Counting by 7s, rev. 9/13) latest tale. In this particular fictive world are newly born protagonist Appleblossom and her twelve siblings (all with names beginning with A, as is the tradition for a possum mother's first litter), eager to discover how to find food, to prepare for such enemies as hairies (dogs) and monsters (people), andmost of allto develop their acting abilities. Your tail looks believable, Mama Possum tells Appleblossom, who is attempting to impersonate a reptile. But you need to feel more like a snake in your body. Move from the inside. When the day comes for the youngsters to go out into the world, they scatter, all except Appleblossom, Antonio, and Amlet (for Hamlet ), who decide to stick together. When Appleblossom ends up trapped in a monster house, it is those two brothers, Mama, and a newly rediscovered father who come to her rescuenot to mention her own acting abilities. This engaging adventure has a warm, wise, and witty sensibility, reinforced by Rosen's pencil and wash illustrations in soft black and white, with occasional touches of pink. monica edinger
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)