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Alien & Possum
Alien & Possum: Hanging Out
Ready-to-ReadLevel 3
Reading Proficiently
Rich vocabulary
More-challenging stories
Longer chaptersPossum loves hanging upside down. It makes him feel new. When Alien tries hanging upside down, the electricity rushes to its head. But these friends stick together -- and that's what counts
Reading Proficiently
Rich vocabulary
More-challenging stories
Longer chaptersPossum loves hanging upside down. It makes him feel new. When Alien tries hanging upside down, the electricity rushes to its head. But these friends stick together -- and that's what counts
- GenresChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
28 people want to read
About the author
Tony Johnston
144 books55 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 4, 2009
Alien & Possum: Hanging Out is an early reader with three short stories about a very unlikely friendship between an alien and a possum. In each story Alien is sad because he is different than Possum and the other creatures in the woods, but Possum cheers him up by showing him the value of being different. Tony DiTerlizzi's colorful little watercolor illustrations are works of art in themselves. The stories themselves are heartwarming and convey the message that is is good to be different.
Children will relate to the characters of Alien and Possum. They will identify with Alien's fears and later his acceptance of being different. Empathetic children will relate to Possum and his desire to make sure that his friend is happy. This book is intended for early readers between 4 and 8 years of age. The stories and text might be too much for a child who is just learning to read, but this book would be a great read for children who have developed basic reading skills. Because boys tend to love aliens (especially aliens wearing what appears to be a robot-like space suit), I would recommend this to any boys looking for fun fiction to read.
Children will relate to the characters of Alien and Possum. They will identify with Alien's fears and later his acceptance of being different. Empathetic children will relate to Possum and his desire to make sure that his friend is happy. This book is intended for early readers between 4 and 8 years of age. The stories and text might be too much for a child who is just learning to read, but this book would be a great read for children who have developed basic reading skills. Because boys tend to love aliens (especially aliens wearing what appears to be a robot-like space suit), I would recommend this to any boys looking for fun fiction to read.
January 16, 2023
This is a cute book about friendship.
October 2, 2016
We really loved Tony DiTerlizzi's work with Holly Black on The Spiderwick Chronicles (and the books that followed as well).
So when I was doing some research on early readers for one of my MLIS classes and came upon this little gem, I was so excited to read it.
The pairing of an opossum and an alien is brilliant - funny, but sweet. From reading the stories, I gathered that there was a previous book published before this one, so I'm on a quest to borrow that one from our local library as well.
The narrative and illustrations work well together, there's a large font, lots of white space and a limited number of words per sentence and lines per page. The different stories are even discrete, so they can be read separately without losing track of the plot.
The anthropomorphic characters are very adorable and children will enjoy the details in each picture. I loved the description for the illustrations, too. They "are rendered on Strathmore plate bristol board, in 'Winsor and Alien' brand watercolors and gouache along with 'Possum Prismacolors' colored pencils."
But the best part, really, is the relationship between these two motley characters. They have such an interesting relationship and support one another no matter how odd the conversation. And I even loved that they didn't have to talk when they were together.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I shared it with our girls, even though they are far to old for this kind of book. They loved the illustrations.
interesting quote:
"Alien and Possum hung out on the branch a long time. They enjoyed the view quietly." (p. 47)
So when I was doing some research on early readers for one of my MLIS classes and came upon this little gem, I was so excited to read it.
The pairing of an opossum and an alien is brilliant - funny, but sweet. From reading the stories, I gathered that there was a previous book published before this one, so I'm on a quest to borrow that one from our local library as well.
The narrative and illustrations work well together, there's a large font, lots of white space and a limited number of words per sentence and lines per page. The different stories are even discrete, so they can be read separately without losing track of the plot.
The anthropomorphic characters are very adorable and children will enjoy the details in each picture. I loved the description for the illustrations, too. They "are rendered on Strathmore plate bristol board, in 'Winsor and Alien' brand watercolors and gouache along with 'Possum Prismacolors' colored pencils."
But the best part, really, is the relationship between these two motley characters. They have such an interesting relationship and support one another no matter how odd the conversation. And I even loved that they didn't have to talk when they were together.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I shared it with our girls, even though they are far to old for this kind of book. They loved the illustrations.
interesting quote:
"Alien and Possum hung out on the branch a long time. They enjoyed the view quietly." (p. 47)
December 25, 2010
This was a sweet book, I liked the crazy interaction between the two friends. I thought the illustrations were simple and yet sophisticated and I enjoyed reading the story. It reminded me of the books I used to read as a child and had sort of the same feeling as the Frog and Toad books. I would probably recommend.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews