Kirkus Reviews QR Code
APPLEBLOSSOM THE POSSUM by Holly Goldberg Sloan

APPLEBLOSSOM THE POSSUM

by Holly Goldberg Sloan ; illustrated by Gary A. Rosen

Pub Date: Aug. 11th, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8037-4133-1
Publisher: Dial Books

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 naïve, 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)