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MWSA Review
Award-winning author Nancy Panko has aced it again with her latest children's book, Peachy Possums.
Peachy Possums is a delightful tale of six-year-old Olivia's encounter with a passel of possums in the family orchard and the compromise they make when faced with a series of problems. Olivia manages to resolve their differences in a most admirable way.
The illustrations are marvelous. Even a child who cannot read will enjoy the colorful and clever drawings. I especially like Polly's facial expressions and her brothers' and sisters' antics from the sideline.
Panko uses Olivia's story to accentuate important teaching lessons throughout the story in simple language that children will understand. In addition, there are fun facts about possums and a mouthwatering recipe for Peach Cobbler at the end of the book.
I recommend Peachy Possums to any parent with young children—encouraging them to develop a sense of responsibility toward others and alternative methods to settle conflicts.
Review by Sandi Cathcart (February 2023)
Author's Synopsis
There's nothing better than a sweet, juicy peach cobbler at the end of a summer day. Thoughts of her mother's cobbler fill Olivia's head as she strolls into the family orchard to fill her basket with perfect peaches. Instead of peaches on the trees, she finds a mess of half-eaten, bruised peaches scattered on the ground.
A rowdy group of possums are eating, playing soccer, and bowling with perfectly good fruit. Olivia knows that somehow she and the possums must reach a compromise to save the orchard and have enough peaches for everyone to enjoy.
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book
Number of Pages: 46
Word Count: 1,600