Joe the possum's irrepressible giggle gets in the way when his mother tries to teach him a life skill: playing possum. Time after time he fails, until his mother asks him, sighing, "What will you do when real danger comes?" When grumpy Mr. Bear comes from the woods, Joe comes through, only to find that Bear has come to him for help. At last, the two exchange favors: Joe learns to play dead and Mr. Bear learns to laugh. The possums live in a typical human household, and Joe's friends are warm and supportive animals. The setting is so cozy that when Mr. Bear appears, he's just not that scary. Charming watercolor-and-ink art, effective use of white space, and varied page design make this slim story a satisfying visual experience. Despite all the giggles though, Joe's laugh is just not that convincing.?Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.