Impossible possum for mayor!

A mischievous marsupial runs for elected office. Carl, introduced inImpossible Possums (2024), returns with a fresh scheme: He's going to become mayor, and from there, "I'll use my new power to take over the world. MUAHAHAHAHA!" His sidekick, Philbert the penguin, is delighted to get down to business swaying human voters. Initial tactics include sloppily drawn signs and a "meat and greet." But soon Carl decides that "desperate times call for desperate measures." He'll give his constituency what they want, gauging their contentment on his "happy-o-meter." Things quickly go wrong; Philbert, who has an Amelia Bedelia--esque grasp on what his boss wants, delivers the humans "guppies" instead of puppies and "mice cream" rather than "ice cream." And turns out, the "happy-o-meter" is a "panic-o-meter." When Carl accidentally presses the red button, he blows his cover, and the community is horrified to discover that the candidate is in fact a possum. Readers might be confused, since Carl was actively meeting voters earlier in the story. Still, they'll enjoy the ride. With his perpetually arched eyebrows and clad in a three-piece suit (with a fish for a tie), Carl oozes sleaze as he glad-hands and kisses babies. Rey Sanchez's speech bubbles and digital illustrations feel like screenshots for an animated film; rife with zany energy, they'll appeal to those making their first forays into comics. Fans of chaotic humor will be pleased as punch.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.