The Koala's New Neighbor

Kora the koala has always lived alone in a large gum tree at the forest's edge, where the leaves are soft, the branches are ideal for napping, and every knot in the bark feels familiar. She enjoys her quiet routine and does not expect it to change. Then a possum family settles into the neighboring tree: a father in a brown bark vest, a mother with a yellow flower behind her ear, and a small joey named Pip, who wears a red scarf and has very large ears. Kora frowns at the noise of newcomers and turns away, pretending to sleep.

This gentle story by Jane MEADOW follows first impressions as they slowly give way to friendship. Kora notices the possum father trimming a branch with care rather than breaking it, the mother collecting fallen leaves for a soft bed, and Pip bouncing over with an invitation to play. When a gust of wind carries Kora's leaf-green pouch bag out of reach, the possum father hooks it back with his curled tail, and the family shares tender leaves from the lower branches. The tale can be read on Kids Tale Book.