This is one of those rare books that is ridiculously funny without trying too hard. Right from the publisher's warning at the beginning, advising children not to let their parents get their hands on the book because the subject of death upsets them, to the chapter "Concerning Elephants" which consists of one line only, the laughs just keep coming. It's a bit risque for a kids' book, as it concerns a character named Uncle Possum whose negligence leads to the death of a number of the animal characters in The Great Forest, but it's told with such tongue-in-cheek humour that it's impossible to take seriously. And it is accompanied why wonderfully whimsical illustrations. A great story and a beautiful book. ( )