BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Coleen Salley

 

 

 

Title:Epossumondas

Author: Coleen Salley
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Ages: 4-8


Synopsis:

Who's Epossumondas? Why, he's his mama's and his autie's sweet little patootie, that's who. He's also the silliest, most lovable , most muddleheaded possum south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Better choose your words wisely when he's around, 'cause otherwise you never know WHAT will happen!


Why you should read it:

Author Coleen Salley's cute tale of one little possum's adventures living in the swamps of southern Louisiana brought back memories of my own childhood growing up among the Spanish moss and murky bogs of Cajun country.

Epossumondas tries hard to do what his Momma asks him to do, but he takes her suggestions quite literally which leads him into all sorts of silly messes! From learning how to carry a cake to holding a puppy and even handling a loaf of bread, the harder Espossumondas tries to listen to Momma's advice, the harder it is for readers not to laugh at what happens next in this whimsical picture book, written in the old style of a noodlehead story.

You'll laugh and shake your head at what trouble poor Epossumondas will get into next! This remake of a classic tale is a great addition to any home library.


Like-O-Meter Rating: 5 out of 5...grab it!


***Rating Scale***


5 out of 5...grab it!
4 out of 5...think about it.
3 out of 5...take or leave it.
2 out of 5...maybe not for you.
1 out of 5...forget about it!

Children's book author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of children’s picture books, middle grade chapter books and young adult novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books. She is also a book reviewer for Harper Collins, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate, good stories, and an adoptive mom to 20-pound guard kitty in Knoxville, Tennesse

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The Vikings Are Coming!

Everyone comes from somewhere.  My ancestors on my father's side came from Cajun stock.  My mother's ancestors hailed from Scots-Irish and Cherokee blood.  All my life I was made well aware of where I came from.  The only problem...I spent many years not quite knowing where I was going...

I kinda like the history of the Vikings.  Yeah, there is that whole bloody pillage thing, but when you get to know them a little bit better you find they were a vibrant people with a strong definition of both where they came from and even better, where they were going.  And where they were going was into the great unknown where they had the chance to change the course of history.

Kinda sounds like the life and times of writers, doesn't it?  I mean, if we truly want to call ourselves writers, we must be willing to step out into the unknown.  To step foot on that ship bound for publication and eagerly travel uncharted waters in search of a way to leave our mark on the world.  

The vikings encountered adversity and so will we.  It just comes in a different form.  Writer's block, insecurity, rejection letters, deadlines...the list can be endless and yet, so can our faith in ourselves.  Faith in our ability to charm the world with our words.  Faith there is indeed someone out there who believes in us as well.  Faith that one day we might do as the vikings did when they conquered new lands and step into our own new worlds as published authors.

Let's just not get too carried away...

My Little Corner Of The World

In case you didn't know, I'm a Cajun.  Born and bred in the swamps of Louisiana; home to great food, a unique flair for homegrown music, and a land of mystery as well as history.  My ancestors were persecuted for their beliefs, driven from their homes and forced to seek refuge in a sort of no-man's land where only the foolish would try to make a life. And yet they stayed...lived, loved, and died among the alligators and swamp creatures of deep southern Louisiana.

There was a time when I couldn't wait to leave that place...to strike out on my own and make something of myself.  But the older I got and the further from the swamp I roamed, I came to realize that you can take the gal out of the swamp, but you can't take the swamp out of the gal.  There is a strength to the Cajuns which can't be denied.  How a race of people could build a life out of nothing but mud and cypress trees and backwater bayous crisscrossing the landscape is beyond me. But build it they did and when they were finished there was cause for celebration.  A time for giving thanks they no longer had to run.  Thanks for the chance to raise their families, worship their God, and strive for a better life in their little corner of the world.

Now I live among the hills of eastern Tennessee and cherish the life I have created here.  But it hasn't been easy.  While the trials and tribulations of a life well lived has left scars on my body, my mind soars with all the possibilities a new day can bring.  I gather around me people whose spirits lift mine own up.  I hold close to me great works of beauty to feed my soul and wish for the day when I might do something which touches the spirits of others in some small way. Until then, I write my stories from my little corner of the world and give thanks for my roots which began by the bayous in the land of the Cajuns...

Cooking Up Gumbo

Sorry guys, but today's blog post is running a little bit late.  You see, I had to wrestle with this guy and he didn't want to cooperate.  Writing is like making a fine gumbo.  I was raised near the swamps of Louisiana, and I learned early on what goes in that pot.  It takes time and the right ingredients to produce a finished product that anyone could sink their teeth into.

Good writing is the same way.  There are so many ways to create a story but only the right mix will create a story worth reading.

Okra is the foundation of gumbo.  It doesn't matter whether you add chicken, sausage, or seafood.  Some people add rice at the end and others may put in noodles.  You can throw in any vegetables you want, but if you don't have okra...you don't have gumbo!

The foundation of a good story is strong writing skills.  Weak characters, poor grammar, and unsatisfactory endings leave a bad taste in a reader's mouth.  Who would want to sit down to a bland bowl of tasteless gumbo?  And who would want to sit down to a bland, boring book when you have already figured out everything about the story line before you begin?

Gumbo's secret ingredient?  Why file' of course!  File' powder is actually ground up sassafras and it is the added spice that gives gumbo the right kick of flavor.  While you might get lucky and make a good gumbo without this spice, why would you take that chance?

Writing's secret ingredient?  Why it's YOU, the author, of course!  When you allow all the creativity within you to spice up your stories, the real flavor or style of writing comes through.  Anyone can put words onto the computer screen, but it is the writer who allows their writing skills to blend with their own creativity who cooks up a great story.  

A great gumbo takes time and patience to make a meal worth sinking your teeth into...so does great writing...

Enjoy!