Marsupial Sue

Amazon.com
Being a kangaroo certainly looks like a lot of fun, what with all the hopping and the hay eating. But who knew all that jumping around could cause such problems? Marsupial Sue, that's who, a smartly dressed young 'roo who can't abide by all the bouncing: "It rattled her brain. It gave her migraine. A backache, sideache, tummyache too."

So John Lithgow recounts in 4/4 time--along with the jaunty, waltzy music and score on the CD that's included--in his second foray into children's books (The Remarkable Farkle McBride being the first). Probably best known as Dick Solomon on TV's 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow brings his comic knack to this Down Under story about the importance of being yourself. Marsupial Sue might be intrigued by the idea of being a climbing koala or prawn-slurping platypus, but with Lithgow's cooing reassurance as the narrator, she eventually comes around: "Be happy with who you are. / Don't ever stray too far from you. / Get rid of that frown / And waltz up and down / beneath a marsupial star. / If you're a kangaroo through and through, / Just do what kangaroos do."

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
"Be happy with who you are!" John Lithgow sends an important message with the help of a kangaroo named Marsupial Sue. Sue finds herself in the midst of an identity crisis when the incessant hopping a kangaroo has to do loses it's appeal. Plagued with headaches and backaches, she decides to find a new way of life. Koalas offer an enticing alternative with their playful jaunts climbing trees. But a weak branch leaves Sue with a few boo-boos and still no new home. The life of a water-loving platypus looks promising, until frequent swims and a whole lotta fish snacks gives her typhoid and pneumonia. Finally Sue discovers the wallaby, her kangaroo cousin that's short in stature. After witnessing their happy frolics bouncing along, she rediscovers a love for her kangaroo life.

Lithgow and illustrator Jack E. Davis create a lovely character with Miss Sue, whom with many young readers are sure to identify. Clad in a straw hat, a string of pearls, a purple sundress, and Birkenstocks, Sue is clearly an individual. Amusing details fill the illustrations, from the animated faces of insects to birds and teddy bears donning sunglasses. The text is wonderfully melodic, and rightfully so, as Lithgow sings the song on the accompanying CD. The spirited tune matches the life-affirming message, and kids are sure to sing happily along. (Amy Barkat)

ANNOTATION

Marsupial Sue, a young kangaroo, finds happiness in doing what kangaroos do.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Celebrated actor, musician, comedian, and author John Lithgow returns with a hilarious new picture book that embraces self-acceptance and perseverance. It's the story of a young kangaroo who longs to be a koala, a platypus, or anything other than a kangaroo -- until she discovers why it's best to be who she is. The bouncing rhyme follows the rhythm of a waltz -- and the score for the a jaunty song is printed in the book, which also includes a bonus CD containing a John Lithgow performance of "Marsupial Sue" for listening or singing along and an instrumental version. Jack E. Davis's droll artwork perfectly captures the spirit of happy-go-lucky Sue as she tries living as various other animals.

SYNOPSIS

Young Sue really doesn't like being a kangaroo, so she goes off to find something better. First she tries climbing the trees like a koala, but that doesn't work. Then she wades into the sea like a platypus, but that's no good either. Finally, Sue joins up with some bouncy, jouncy wallabies...and discovers that being a kangaroo isn't so bad, after all.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Lithgow (The Remarkable Farkle McBride) follows his successful debut with another musically inspired tale, which dances in waltz rhythm through Davis's (Music Over Manhattan) cleverly drawn illustrations. This whimsical song-set-to-pictures features malcontented Marsupial Sue, unhappy because kangaroo-hopping "rattled her brain" and "gave her migraine, a backache, sideache and tummyache, too." So the Birkenstock-clad kangaroo sets off to find kindred spirits among other Australian animals. (Though all she finds is howling pain when she falls out of the koalas' tree and "typhoid, pneumonia, colic, and gout" from her seaside dallying with the platypuses.) "Marsupial Sue,/ A lesson or two:/ Be happy with who you are./ Don't ever stray too far from you," the refrain warns each time her wanderings result in turmoil. Not until she flounces and jounces with the wallabies ("Exactly like her only not quite so tall") does she realize she's happy after all doing what kangaroos do, though no explanation is given of why hopping no longer bothers her. Davis's charming illustrations, rendered in colored pencil, acrylics and ink, are full of personifying characteristics (wallabies in headphones and sunglasses on birds) that entertain on their own merit. Lithgow's ebullient encore (companion CD included) will strike a positive note with book and music lovers alike. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

This whimsical song-set-to-pictures features a malcontented kangaroo who sets off to find kindred spirits among other Australian animals. "Lithgow's ebullient encore will strike a positive note," according to PW, "while the charming illustrations entertain on their own merit." Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

This is a truly enjoyable book that children are sure to be attracted to because of the fun story line, the captivating illustrations and a CD that includes a musical score with Lithgow singing the text. Marsupial Sue is a young kangaroo who is unhappy with being a kangaroo and journeys out to discover what life is like with the other animals. Her encounters with the Koalas find her hanging from a tree and falling to the ground in pain. Next, she explores the ocean and the life of a platypus but ends up sick in the hospital after eating seafood. She tries again in the autumn, and after joining a group of Wallabies, she realizes that she is very similar to them. Marsupial Sue finally accepts that her life as a kangaroo is not so bad after all. This is a great book for units about "Me" and "Self-acceptance." It is written by the actor from the popular NBC comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun, who also wrote the best selling picture book The Remarkable Farkle McBride. 2001, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer:Melissa A. Caudill

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