Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail
by Coleen Salley
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2004
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- folklore and origin stories
- family and community
- humor and mischief
- cause and effect
- consequences of choices
- animals and nature
- Southern/Cajun culture
About this book
This lively pourquoi tale explains, with lots of Southern flair, how a young possum named Epossumondas ends up with a bare tail. Coleen Salley’s rhythmic, read‑aloud text and Janet Stevens’s expressive animal characters bring Cajun storytelling to life. Perfect for grades K–3, it’s filled with humor, repetition, and playful language that invites kids to chime in. Families and teachers love it for its voice, culture, and big, giggly read‑aloud moments.
Setting: a Cajun bayou in the American South
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail right for my child?
Yes — Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.5, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include folklore and origin stories, family and community, humor and mischief.
How long does it take to read Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,200 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail have an AR quiz?
Yes — Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail?
Why Epossumondas has no hair on his tail has an AR reading level of 3.5, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.