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Opossums
by Patricia Whitehouse j599.276
(Check Catalog)

A basic introduction to opossums, including their habitat, diet, and physical features.

SLJ Reviews 2003 February

PreS-Gr 2-Brief introductions to the lives and habits of opossums and raccoons. Both books are arranged in two-page "chapters" with a question asked in the heading, e.g., "What do raccoons eat?," and the answer given in a few sentences. Each spread has two full-color photos. Unfortunately, the overly simplified texts lead to a lack of clarity that will require explanation. For example, a sentence like, "Raccoons look like cats" would likely confuse children. A sentence in Opossums reads, "They sleep in dens." A few pages later the text states that, "They build a nest of leaves and grass." The picture glossaries, in which terms are defined with pictures rather than words, may also lead to some confusion. The definitions of "den" and "hollow" in Raccoons are both illustrated with the same picture of a hole in a tree. One ("den") does show a raccoon looking out, but the concept still isn't clear. Very young children might enjoy looking at the appealing photos, but without adult explanation, the texts won't make much sense.-Arwen Marshall, Minneapolis Public Library Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.