Possum Come A-Knockin

by Nancy Van Laan, George Booth

Overview

A cumulative tale in verse about a mysterious stranger that interrupts a family's daily routine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780780725997
Publisher:	Perfection Learning Corporation
Publication date:	09/01/1993
Series:	Dragonfly Books
Sales rank:	569,437
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

Editorial Reviews

That rascally possum is the kind of critter that knocks on the door and then hides! Granny is a-rockin' and Ma's a-cookin' taters when that possum comes a-knockin' at the door. That sets Coon-dawg a-growlin' and Tom-cat a-sniffing', but nobody believes the little girl when she says she sees that ol' possum! Van Laan's rollicking rhyme reads like a rap song, and George Booth is at his comic best.

Barnes & Noble Staff

Booth's signature daffy cartoon art highlights this toe-tappin', down-home verse about a mighty disruptive nocturnal caller. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 2-- Possum tracks on the end papers lead directly to a pink-eyed, long-tailed possum in top hat and vest, energetically knocking on the door to a house. The indoor activities of the family members are viewed through a window and described in a rhyming, rhythmic, erratically cumulative text. ``Possum come a-knockin' at the door, at the door. Possum come a-knockin' at the door,'' says the girl who narrates. When the child finally convinces everyone to look outside, Possum hides behind a tree; they've all been tricked, and one suspects it may all happen again. Booth's trademark swinging lightbulb and demented dog and cat are here, but they're toned down a bit for the audience, and the addition of watercolor seems to have a calming influence as well. There are some problems: the family activities are stereotyped (Pa is hammering, Pappy's whittling, Ma is cooking, Granny's knitting); there may be objections to the use of mountain dialect, and there is an occasional weakness in the text. But children will relish the nonsense of it all and will soon be chanting along. --Leda Schubert, Vermont Department of Education, Montpelier

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