Town possum, outback possum by Yvonne Morrison; illustrated by Heath McKenzie

Many readers will be familiar with the story of the town mouse and the country mouse - and this re-telling of the old story is both familiar and new at the same time.  For most New Zealanders possums are a pest species that must be removed at all costs (no matter how cute and fluffy they may appear), but to Australians they are a species that should be cared for and protected.  So putting aside the whole pest thing, and concentrating instead on the cute-appeal of possums, I thoroughly enjoyed this updated version of the classic story. 

Jessie the city possum, complete with bring purple suitcase, visits her cousin Jack in the country.  After a few days Jessie is bored out of her (Jack's) tree and convinces Jack to come to the big city to see where she lives instead.  The trip to the city is not what Jack expected, and when he has the chance to scamper back to his home in the country he takes it. 

This book has a delighful Australian flavour (though as a Kiwi maybe I shouldn't admit that), and the illustrations are highly engaging.  It wil be interesting to see if more re-told traditional stories come from this team.

If you liked this book then try:

• Cindy and the lost jandal by Chris Gurney & illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
• Little Red and the cunning kuri by Chris Gurney & illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson
• The ugly hatchling by Yvonne Morrison & illustrated by Dave Gunson
• There was an old lady who swallowed a mozzie by P. Crumble & illustrated by Louis Shea

Reviewed by Brilla