A little Western Pygmy Possum sits on a tree stump, gazing longingly up into the branches above.
Numbat wanders by and asks, ‘What are you looking at?’
The pygmy possum points to the flowers blooming high in the treetop. Their sweet scent drifts down – delicious and tempting. She’s trying to figure out the best way to climb up to them.
But Numbat shakes his head. ‘You’re too little. You might fall.’
The pygmy possum feels disheartened.
Just then, Brushtail Possum arrives and asks what’s wrong. When the Pygmy Possum explains, Brushtail smiles and tells her, You’re a possum! You have big eyes for seeing in the dark, strong paws for climbing, and a super-special tail for balance and grabbing. You can do it – give it a go!
So up the pygmy possum climbs, determined. Along the way, she meets other Australian animals, each one warning, ‘You’re too small – you’ll fall!’ while proudly showing off their own special skills. Pygmy Possum forges on reminding herself that she does have what it takes to reach those flowers.
Katie Stewart’s signature illustrations fill the pages from corner to corner with colour and life.
This is a beautifully illustrated tale of courage, self-belief, and remembering your strengths. You will close this book with a smile on your face. It’s a heartwarming reminder to believe in yourself – no matter your size.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 2+
Take a sneak peek inside the book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katie Stewart is an author and illustrator. Born in the north of England, she came to Australia at the age of nine.
She started her working life as an archaeologist and ethnohistorian, went on to teaching and then to being a mother. She later worked in a school library, but her lifelong dream was to be what she is now.
Katie is married to a farmer, has three children and lives north of Northam, where her love of animals means she has a lot of pets and takes lots of nature photos.
Her books have been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year (2020 and 2021) and shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards (2022).
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