Joseph Helgerson Libri

A time-traveling woolly mammoth finds refuge and rescue at the unlikely hands of a possum and his community of woodland friends in this humorous middle grade for fans of The Secret Lake and The Wild Robot. Features charming black-and-white interior illustrations by Udayana Lugo. When a furry, four-legged beast from the distant past appears in their park, the local animals are concerned about unwanted attention from humans. Gilly the Possum, assistant to raccoon Mayor Crawdaddy, is tasked with figuring out where the lost galumpus came from . . . and how to get him home again. While Gilly and the Mayor don't agree on much, they can agree on one thing: with a huge blizzard rolling in, the galumpus needs their help, no matter where he came from. This laugh-out-loud illustrated adventure has the whole woodland community in Theodore Wirth Park considering the best way to welcome a newcomer--and what generosity in the face of unthinkable circumstances can mean.

The narrative unfolds with an intriguing blend of suspense and unexpected twists, centered around themes of risk and deception. Characters are drawn into a world where slivers hint at hidden dangers, gamblers embody chance, and aces represent unforeseen advantages. As the story progresses, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with surprises that challenge their perceptions and keep them guessing until the end.