heetlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A hilarious southern themed story about a silly opossum that just can't seem to get things right. We read this story as a prop story which just engaged the kids even more.
libbydmccarthy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book meant for older kids- the age that would appreciate Amelia Bedelia books. This silly opposum does silly things when he transports treats from his auntie's to his mama's. My 18-mo-old son had very little interest in this book, though, as there was much too much text for the illustrations to keep his attention, and too few of fun details in the illustrations to hold his interest. Would consider checking this out again when he's much older.
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
Based on an old folk tale, which wasn't really my cup of tea. The illustrations are a bit on the strange side - why have all the characters be animals, but the mother and aunt are people?
funny_bunny_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Twist on the American "noodlehead" folktale Epaminondas.
leslie_d's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure it is possible to read this one without a Southern drawl or an occasional shake of the head; which, by the way, is not a bad thing at. all.
The tone of the story is set by the title page. Epossumondas, our opossum protagonist, is larger than life and full-color/opaque on a neutral-tone/translucent background. And he is wearing a pinned cloth diaper. Honestly, I’m not sure what Auntie was thinking giving this “sweet little patootie” that slice of cake.
Mama advises Epossumondas on how he should have carried the cake, advice he mistakenly believes applies to the transportation of freshly churned butter (everyone knows that goes straight into the stomach, bread optional). It is much to our delight that by the time Auntie gives him a puppy and then the bread to take home to Mama, the reader/listener knows what is going to happen. For the finale: the pies are that quick intake of breath that anticipates Epossumondas. Southern storytelling traditions involve that well-timed punch-line. Epossumondas translates nicely onto the page.
Basing the story on traditional folktales passed around through an oral tradition and subject to shifting details, the line work reiterates the sketched, malleable quality of such a tale. The smooth color and realism of the women, in particular, lend it possibility. As author Coleen Salley writes in the “Storyteller’s Note,” “The plot [of a noodlehead story] may be highly improbable, but not impossible–it could happen.” There is something there that rings true, and not in any passing familiarity with Amelia Bedelia‘s silly literalness. It’s in wondering just who the noodlehead is in this story, and who the very clever devil (in diapers) is…
——————————
I’m guessing anyone with a passing love for Southern storytelling will find Epossumondas just too funny (and by “too funny,” I mean just right). And there are more Epossumondas books!
The late Ms. Salley is quoted as saying, “I don’t want children to read just to perfect their reading. I want them to love books for the joy of it.” Epossumondas works toward fostering that love of books via the pleasure of a well-spun story; a story sweetened with that gentle and silly humor the “Note” so highly regards in tales like Epossumondas.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/a-southern-noodlehead/
The tone of the story is set by the title page. Epossumondas, our opossum protagonist, is larger than life and full-color/opaque on a neutral-tone/translucent background. And he is wearing a pinned cloth diaper. Honestly, I’m not sure what Auntie was thinking giving this “sweet little patootie” that slice of cake.
Mama advises Epossumondas on how he should have carried the cake, advice he mistakenly believes applies to the transportation of freshly churned butter (everyone knows that goes straight into the stomach, bread optional). It is much to our delight that by the time Auntie gives him a puppy and then the bread to take home to Mama, the reader/listener knows what is going to happen. For the finale: the pies are that quick intake of breath that anticipates Epossumondas. Southern storytelling traditions involve that well-timed punch-line. Epossumondas translates nicely onto the page.
Basing the story on traditional folktales passed around through an oral tradition and subject to shifting details, the line work reiterates the sketched, malleable quality of such a tale. The smooth color and realism of the women, in particular, lend it possibility. As author Coleen Salley writes in the “Storyteller’s Note,” “The plot [of a noodlehead story] may be highly improbable, but not impossible–it could happen.” There is something there that rings true, and not in any passing familiarity with Amelia Bedelia‘s silly literalness. It’s in wondering just who the noodlehead is in this story, and who the very clever devil (in diapers) is…
——————————
I’m guessing anyone with a passing love for Southern storytelling will find Epossumondas just too funny (and by “too funny,” I mean just right). And there are more Epossumondas books!
The late Ms. Salley is quoted as saying, “I don’t want children to read just to perfect their reading. I want them to love books for the joy of it.” Epossumondas works toward fostering that love of books via the pleasure of a well-spun story; a story sweetened with that gentle and silly humor the “Note” so highly regards in tales like Epossumondas.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/a-southern-noodlehead/
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
3.0
The kids weren't completely drawn in by the story, but they did enjoy the "Yes, mama!" bit enough to keep saying it to themselves. We used it as part of a noodlehead unit, which I still can't tell if the kids are enjoying or not, but we'll see how it goes. Some of them get the humor a bit more than others, which may mean first grade is better than kindergarten for this type of story.Or maybe it's the group of kids.
mollyb_in_tn's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book - an updated story. Full of great old southern expressions.
kesterbird's review against another edition
2.0
I am aware that there is a level of repetition that young people like that I cannot stand, but this was too much even for the niblings
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