POSSUM STEW

Possum tricks Bear and Gator by tying their fish lines together so that each will think he's hooked Old Catfish; when they pull each other in, Possum absconds with their fish. The two conspire to get even: Gator asks Possum to bring vegetables to make a soup for Bear, who's feeling poorly after his swim; when Possum arrives, relieved to have a chance to be friendly again, they propose adding him to the pot. Cushman's easy, folk-tale style is just right for reading aloud; his lively, uncluttered illustrations--with the creatures' expressive faces betraying their disingenuous glee--add a lot to the story's humor.