Anybody Home?

By: Marianne Berkes
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
ISBN: 978-1607186304
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: September 2013

Polly `Possum held on tightly to her little red polka dotted suitcase as she glanced up into the branches of an old oak tree. It was swarming with activity as all the animals tended to their homes and families. A home would be a nice thing to have and Polly wondered, as she looked up, “Was there room for her?” Hmmm, perhaps Sammy Spider just might have a bit of room for her. He was very busy spinning his web and when Polly stepped on it ... oops! Sammy would have no part of her toes in his house and told her to bug off. Maybe someone else would have a bit of room for her.

Robbie Robin was busy tending to his house, but there wasn’t any room for Polly. Polly was going to have her babies soon and definitely needed a place to stay. Robbie flapped his wings at Polly and exclaimed, “I’m going to have babies too. We built our nest way up high to keep predators like you away!” Maybe someone else would have a bit of room for her. Polly kept moving and checked out the homes of Becky Bee, Suzy Squirrel, Timmy Turtle, and even Milton Mole. She searched and she searched. Would someone have a home for Polly `Possum before her little babies arrived?

This is the delightfully charming story of Polly `Possum who is searching for a home of her own. Young children will definitely love accompanying Polly as she searches for the perfect home to raise her own little family in. As the tale goes on, we find out about the many homes other animals have. For example, we learn that Milton Mole has a burrow and Betty Beaver has a lodge with a mote around it. The tale is upbeat and the full-page, full-color artwork is bold and bright with a touch of humor. In the back of the book are several activities, including some that can be downloaded and printed from the publisher’s website. This is fun book that can be read at home or utilized for educational purposes in the homeschool or classroom setting.

Quill says: If you want to know just where other critters live, this is a fun, imaginative tale that will tell you just that!