EPOSSUMONDAS PLAYS POSSUM

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)