A Very Clever Possum Level 15-16

A Very Clever Possum is an entertaining narrative that cleverly blends storytelling with non-fiction elements. Mr Lee attempts to trap a mischievous possum that's feasting on his beloved rosebush, only to be outsmarted time and again. Told in first person, the story offers a humorous look at the persistence of wildlife and the creative solutions humans attempt. The possum is never seen, heightening the mystery and allowing the reader to infer its actions through textual clues and a thought bubble illustration. The poetic language, personification, and onomatopoeia add richness to the narrative, while the inclusion of a factual snippet about possums on page 12 encourages discussion about animal behaviour and environment. This story supports inferencing, conclusion-drawing, and exploring author intent, making it an ideal resource for deeper text analysis.

Educational Benefits:

• Enhances inferencing and conclusion-making skills.
• Provides examples of poetic and figurative language.
• Integrates narrative with factual content to build background knowledge.
• Encourages understanding of point of view and purpose in storytelling.

Classroom Ideas:

• Discuss possum behaviour and create a possum fact file.
• Role-play Mr Lee and the possum's nightly encounters.
• Identify examples of figurative language and illustrate them.
• Write an alternative ending or a œtrap diary from Mr Lee's perspective.

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages: 6-7
• Book size: 200mm x 210mm
• Reading Level: 15-16 (Orange)
• Contains no hazardous materials; ideal for school use.