Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

May 1, 2008
K-Gr 3-Scaredy Squirrel is frightened by everything associated with the beachseagulls, sea monsters, jellyfish, etc. He decides to vacation alone, at home, and creates a beach environment with a bag of kitty litter, a plastic flamingo, a flashlight for sunlight, etc. Something is missing, thoughthe sound of the ocean. The squirrel then devises an elaborate plan to retrieve a seashell (unoccupied) from the real beach by mailing himself to the shore. He has such a good day thereamid the crowd of peoplethat he forgets his fears and decides to populate his personal beach with a crowd of garden gnomes. Children with fears of the unknown will relate to this tale. The simple story line explains Scaredy Squirrel's worries, plans, and activities in a humorous way. Digitally rendered illustrations in pastel, Floridian colors add amusing details. This is an excellent book to share one-on-one."Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
That worrywartScaredy Squirrel (2006) returns in another hilarious tale, this time contemplating a beach vacation. Concerned aboutfalling coconuts, seagulls, and lobsters, however, he decides tobuild his own beach. After a burst of squirrel creativity, he issoon loungingona bed of kitty litter, soakingin sun froma flashlight, and contemplating thewater in his inflatablepool.Unfortunately, theres something amiss, which puts Scaredy on course toa realbeach to acquire a seashell.As might be expected, his preparations for the visit involve much more than just packing a suit. In fact, the only thing that slips beneath his radarare people--who eventually win him over and also inspire afunnyaddition to his ownsunbathershaven.In appealing, flat colors, Wattscartoon-style pictures (full spread and graphic-novel-style panels) add joke after joke.With simple shapes bordered in distinctive ribbons of black and white, they deliver a surprise on every page as theobsessivesquirrel, withtoothy grin and boundless imagination, scampers around, trying toanticipate everythingthat can go wrong.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2008
In his third adventure, Scaredy Squirrel decides that the safest way to enjoy the beach is to create one in his own backyard. But capturing the sound of the ocean requires the perfect shell--from the "REAL beach"--and careful planning ensues (and unravels). Smart writing and playful, varied, child-friendly illustrations characterize this book.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)