Bat vs Poss caught my heart in the very first scene, beautifully illustrated with an Australian native tree; the home of a possum family and other creatures, surrounded by terrace houses, wheelie bins and city lights in the background. Everything about it felt familiar to me, as it would for many people who have lived in urban Australia.
Meek the possum and her sisters are happily living in their home when a stubborn bat named Squabbles moves abruptly in. Squabbles is noisy, messy and rather rude. Unhappy with the intruder, the locals have a neighbourhood meeting where Meek has a clever idea. Will the possums and this uninvited bat ever live in harmony?
My kids and I enjoyed the clever rhyming and upbeat text while exploring important topics such as teamwork, problem solving and standing up for yourself. The stunning illustrations work in unity with the text and perfectly set the homely Australian environment.
Alexa Moses is the author of Slave Girl and other stories, she is also a children’s television screenwriter. Anil Tortop has illustrated over 30 books including The Great Zoo Hullabaloo!, Where's Dad Hiding? and Digby and the Yodelayhee... Who?
Title: Bat vs Poss
Author: Alexa Moses
Illustrator: Anil Tortop
Publisher: Hachette Australia, $16.99
Publication Date: 29 January 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780734418395
For ages: 3 – 6
Type: Picture Book
