What the ningbing?

Time for the Mandatory Morning Meeting of the Athensville Zoo Peacocks. The peacocks are the zoo's ambassadors, and they roam the grounds to mingle with, delight, and guide zoo guests. Plum (who is always late for the meeting BTW) loves her job and is always excited to explore the grounds to prepare for her day. Enter Itch the ningbing (an Australian marsupial). Why did the peacocks get to roam the grounds while he, Itch, had great knowledge but was stuck in a cage? Itch hatches a plan that is sure to show the world that he did not have the brain of a bird. He is a genius!

Parent Perspective: 
This is a refreshing, fun story. Part mystery, part friendship story. Itch is introduced in Chapter 2, so readers know who the "bad guy" is, but how Itch's plan plays out will be a mystery they will want to follow to the end. There is an early clue they are sure to have forgotten until it comes in later. One of those "aha" moments readers love. The illustrations are as fun as the story. 

In addition to being a great book for nearly-independent readers, LEAVE IT TO PLUM would make a "first chapter book" read aloud when you're ready to go beyond picture books. Highly recommended. 

A fun story with the things young readers love: humor, animals (known and unknown), a little mystery, and friendship. The story moves along at a perfect pace for young listeners and new readers alike.

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