P. Crumble (text), Wendy Binks (illus), Deborah Mailman (performer), Hush Little Possum: an Australian lullaby. Scholastic, 1 July 2015, 24pp., $19.99 (pbk + CD), ISBN 9781743626436
This is a delightfully Australian reworking of the old lullaby Hush Little Baby. The book is accompanied by a CD performance of the song by well known Australian Indigenous entertainer Deborah Mailman, who earlier in her life was a much loved presenter of Playschool.
The standout feature of this tale about a baby sugar glider possum and its mum is, however, Binks’ art work which absolutely captures the quintessential nature of the Australia landscape in all its moods. The authenticity and texture of the old stumps, fence posts and corrugated iron along with the beautiful Silver Princess eucalypt all help to create an instantly recognisable context for this story, while the unframed double spread illustrations help to capture the endless nature of the rural horizons. Each page depicts the comforting and protective nature of the bond between mother and baby as storm sweeps across the landscape, providing children with a constant sense of security and love.
Recommended for young readers 2-5.
reviewed by Sue Clancy