Bat vs Poss: A story about sharing and making friends

by Alexa Moses, Anil Tortop (Illustrator)

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR EARLY CHILDHOOD 2020Meek the possum and her sisters three are happy living in the sprawling paperbark tree - until the day Squabbles the bat moves in. A story about sharing and making friends.Meek lives with her three sisters, a gaggle of birds, lizards and other creatures next to a tumbledown terrace house. Everyone shares the space, and life is pretty sweet until the day a rude and messy fruit bat named Squabbles moves in - and demands everyone else move OUT. Will Meek be able to get rid of Squabbles, or is there a way for everyone to get along? Alexa Moses's lively rhyming text is entertaining to read aloud and Anil Tortop's illustrations are full of terrific detail and great characterisation. Bat vs Poss is a fun story about learning to share that kids aged 3 to 5 will want to read over and over.'Anil Tortop's illustrations are, again, simply stunning. Her work is colourful and vibrant, and has a magical ability to draw your eyes from across the room.' Kids' Book Review on Anil Tortop's Digby and the Yodelayhee . . . Who?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Australia

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2019

About the author

Alexa Moses graduated from a masters degree in screenwriting at the Australian Film Television and Radio school convinced she wanted to write books but ended up a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper instead and enjoyed it thoroughly. When she's not at the gym, knitting, arguing, bingeing on comedy or listening to music, she’s writing books.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bat vs Poss is an absolutely delightful book for youngsters by Aussie author Alexa Moses, filled with beautiful illustrations by Anil Tortop. The story is about learning to share and making new friends. With Meek the possum and her three sisters living in the paperbark tree alongside birds, lizards and other creatures – until Squabbles the bat arrives to take over their home. Told in rhyme, it’s fun and engaging and made me smile. My grandson will love it! Highly recommended for the littlies in your life 😊

With thanks to Hachette AU Children’s Books for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A charming, rhyming story about sticking up for yourself, second chances and sharing. I love the purple theme throughout.

[Teacher Librarian Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Australian story about annoying behviours, squabbles and second chances to learn from mistakes. The characters are adorable, the illustrations are spectacular and children will want to read this book again and again. The messages in the book are fitting getting to children to think about how they can be a good friend to others and the importance of forgiveness when we make mistakes.

[Julie]

My review of this book will appear in June on the CBCA's Reading Time website, readingtime.com.au

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

BAT VS POSS BY ALEXA MOSES
January 26, 2019
Edit
‘Meek the possum and her sisters three are happy living in the sprawling paperbark tree – until the day Squabbles the bat moves in.

Meek lives with her three sisters, a gaggle of birds, lizards and other creatures next to a tumbledown terrace house. Everyone shares the space, and life is pretty sweet until the day a rude and messy fruit bat named Squabbles moves in – and demands everyone else move OUT. Will Meek be able to get rid of Squabbles, or is there a way for everyone to get along?’

This book was beautiful.

Alexa Moses has done an amazing job with this book. The story is sweet and warm, with lots of learning situations. Her amazing story has been perfectly complimented by Anil Tortop’s vibrant illustrations.

I love reading stories that are about Australian animals. Animals that young Aussies know and have even seen. Anil Tortop has brough these wonderful animals to life with her bright and colourful illustrations.

This book is going to be much-loved by young readers and their families. With the lyrical, rhyming writing, this book is perfect for read aloud story time. The fun and entertaining story, with the amazing, detailed illustrations will make this book one children will want to read over and over again.

It is books like these that make me wish I had children to share them with. Luckily I have many young readers in my life that will be getting a copy of this amazing book.

I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. If you have a young reader in your life get them copy of this book. They will thank you for it later.

Bat vs Poss by Alexa Moses is a wonderful story about sharing and making friends that every young reader should have on their bookshelf.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Energetic rhyme dances merrily along against a background of outrageously entertaining illustrations. When an uninvited visitor enters Meek the Poss's hood and proceeds to claim top branch, the entire tree-load of arboreal residents feels bullied and displaced. It's not until, led by Meek and her sisters, that the crowd realises they hold the power in numbers and confront, Squabbles, the erstwhile intrusive fruit bat. Deflated and defeated, Squabbles prepares to leave but is given a chance to redeem himself thanks to a kind-hearted poss.

This is a feisty tale of new beginnings, fitting in, friendship, problem solving and redemption humorously disguised in cheeky visual narrative and inviting verse.

See DIM'S re VIEWS for my full review coming soon. http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/p/...

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a group of Australian animals sharing a tree as their home. They live in harmony until Squabbles the bat moves in and deliberately creates havoc. On the point of leaving home to find another tree, Poss finds the courage to confront Squabbles, and with the backing of the other tree dwellers the bat is put on notice to improve his behaviour.

The illustrations are gorgeous - evocative, expressive and full of action. These are supported with rhyming text and expressive fonts to emphasise points and actions.
Good fun and a useful stimulus to talk about behaviour, bullying and cooperation.

Shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood

[AD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely rhyming tale about Poss and her family and friends (lots of native Australian animals) and what they do when Squabbles the bat decides to move into their tree and kick them all out.
The creatures in this book are so wonderfully illustrated, you can't help but fall in love with them.
A great story about standing up for yourself, sharing, and second chances.
Highly recommended for Preschool to Year 3 (and keen animal lovers).

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Australian story with mr 5 knows and loves. It rhymes really well but in a way I wish it didn’t rhyme and was more of a story. There is a lot of good buildup but the sharing and becoming friends is over pretty quickly without much explanation- nice message though about giving people another chance- and sharing to be friendly.

[Sim ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟💫 3.5 stars
✔️ 22. A book set mostly or entirely outdoors

Great illustrations and word rhymes. Features quintessential Australian flora, fauna and scenes.

Story wise is quite basic, about learning to share and make friends.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this rhyming picture book, a bully of a bat moves into the possums' tree. The other animals plot to shove him out into the bin. Then they agree that he can have another chance if he behaves properly.

[Justin Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book. Highly recommended.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with lovely rhymes and unique terms. A good focus on Australian animals. An entertaining read.