Publishers Weekly
In the late Salley's last picture book, the fourth to feature Epossumondas and his Mama, Mama warns the possum to steer clear of the swamp because the dreaded “loup-garou snatches [possums] right up with its big ugly claws!” But Epossumondas follows a butterfly into the eerie swamplands, where a series of threatening animals pass by Epossumondas, who plays dead. Rich with Southern flavor—when Epossumondas returns from the swamp, Mama exclaims, “You don't have the sense you were born with! You gotta run away from those fearsome critters, too!”—it's an immersive piece of storytelling. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 4—In this series, a diapered possum child with a human mama reenacts Southern folktales with flair and gusto. Here, Mama warns the little guy to stay out of the swamp, where the scary loup-garou awaits. Distracted by a pretty butterfly, Epossumondas enters the swamp anyway. He never meets the werewolf, but he encounters one dangerous predator after another. Luckily, instinct kicks in and he plays possum, thus being rejected by creatures who "don't eat no dead meat." When a carcass-eating buzzard comes along, Epossumondas is saved by his own ticklishness—the horrified bird drops him, crying "I never, ever eat no live meat!" The folksy text lives and breathes like a storytelling performance. Epossumondas and his mama have so much character that this unlikely family is quite believable. The sketchy, mixed-media illustrations convey the humor of the antics while providing a fairly realistic depiction of Louisiana swampland and its inhabitants. As always, Stevens has portrayed Epossumondas's mama as a Salley double, bringing the storyteller into her own tale. Funny, scary, and clever, this story has everything it needs for broad kid appeal.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
Kirkus Reviews
That adorable diaper-clad scalawag is back, doing what he does best. Mama cautions Epossumondas not to go into the swamp where the horrible loup-garou could snatch him right up. But when a pretty butterfly flies by, Epossumondas can't help himself and runs after it-right into the swamp, where he promptly gets lost. Each time he hears a scary snarl, hiss or snort, he plays possum and the swamp critters leave him alone because they "don't eat no dead meat." When the swamp buzzard snatches him up, though, Epossumondas squirms, and the bird promptly drops him saying, "I never, ever eat no live meat." When Mama finds her "clever little patootie," they head home for sweet tea. As in the previous three books, Stevens's comical, mixed-media illustrations depict Mama as the spittin' image of the late Salley, and the telling has her storytelling rhythm and voice, as well as her vivid personality. It's a fitting tribute that her last book finds her baby winking at the audience while playing dead. Farewell, Epossumondas; we'll miss you. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)
From the Publisher
"Salley’s storytelling remains peerless in this fourth tale of the adorable little possum . . . Once again, Stevens captures both characters with humor and affection: Mama with her generous mouth and flowered dress, vivid as life itself; the fecklessly crafty adventurer, pink-toed and diapered . . . With or without its enticing illustrations, a perfect story to share aloud."—Horn Book —
MARCH 2011 - AudioFile
Does Epossumondas have “the sense he was born with”? When he disregards his mother’s warning about the loup-garou (werewolf) and follows a butterfly into the swamp, one can only wonder. In his forgetful way, Epossumondas wanders along and encounters an array of swamp creatures. Cynthia Darlow’s gentle Southern accent complements Colleen Salley’s distinctive storytelling. Darlow hisses, snorts, and snarls with the vitality of the meanest of swamp cats, snakes, hogs, and buzzards. The repeated phrases, such as “I don’t eat no dead meat,” are elongated; each moniker, such as “Honey” or “Sugar,” is as sweet as can be. As Epossumondas, Darlow is distinctively nasal and innocently confident. Swamp sound effects provide a realistic backdrop; an author’s note about the loup-garou concludes the production. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2011 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
