Scaredy Squirrel
posted in award winning, humor, picture books, book review, children's literature |
Here’s my Scaredy Squirrel review, in a nutshell. Everyone fears something; Scaredy Squirrel fears everything. Scaredy Squirrel (aptly named) never leaves his nut tree–the safe, the known, the dependable, the predictable, the routine nut tree; he’s also fully prepared should anything happen in said nut tree. Then, the unexpected occurs, and Scaredy Squirrel must learn how to deal.
As you may have guessed, Scaredy Squirrel realizes that one cannot prepare for everything, and that sometimes, that’s okay. He even comes up with a new-and-improved routine for daily life. This book is SO much fun and the illustrations are charming. Scaredy Squirrel is an easy-to-identify-with character.
Rare is the children’s book where a life lesson is dished out in such a humorous, unobtrusive way. Kids will be able to relate to Scaredy Squirrel and his fears, and, it is hoped, they will draw courage from Scaredy Squirrel’s survival (and arguably thriving) when he comes face-to-face with his fear of the unknown. Nevertheless, he still insists that everyone wash their hands with antibacterial soap before reading his book!
Apparently, Scaredy Squirrel has more to learn in life than facing his fears (don’t we all) for he makes another appearance in Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend (2007) which I plan to read just as soon as I wash my hands again 
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Scaredy Squirrel was the 2006 Cybil award winner for children’s fiction picture book, and Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend is a 2007 nominee for the same award.
