It's an indication of how well Watt (Leon the Chameleon) knows her helicopter-parented audience that she's able to turn the phrase "antibacterial soap" into a bona fide punchline. Fearing attack by Martians, sharks, poison ivy, killer bees, tarantulas and/or germs, Scaredy Squirrel decides "he'd rather stay in his safe and familiar tree than risk venturing out into the unknown." But just in case something goes awry, this most anxious rodent also has an extensive emergency kit that includes sardines (to distract the sharks), the aforementioned antibacterial soap and a parachute. Then one day, Scaredy's unvarying and admittedly boring routine is thrown for a loop (it's the emergency kit's fault), and he discovers he's a flying squirrel-an epiphany so momentous that it garners the book's only gatefold spread. Will Scaredy's life be changed forever now that new vistas have opened up to him? Well, sort of. Watt largely dispenses with conventional visual storytelling; instead, she tells the hero's story through a series of boldly graphic and endearingly goofy charts and diagrams (one outlines the anxious rodent's "top secret," four-option plan for exiting the tree in case of emergency). Funny in their own right, the pages also spoof all the sincerely inane worksheets that are the staple of elementary school homework. Youngsters will go nuts over this one. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
PreS-Gr 3-Scaredy Squirrel has a catalog of creatures and things that frighten him. His life in his nut tree is comfortably predictable, and he has an emergency kit and escape plan to cover every danger. One day one of his fears is realized when he encounters a "killer bee." Panicking, he drops his emergency kit out of the tree and jumps after it without his parachute. To his surprise, he learns that he is actually a flying squirrel, and he adapts his routine to include a daily "jump into the unknown." With his iconic nervous grin and over-the-top punctiliousness, Scaredy Squirrel is an endearing character. Thick-lined cartoons with bold patches of color, quirky charts and graphs, and clever asides provide humor that will appeal to children. Like other successful worrywarts before him, such as Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (HarperCollins, 2000) and Rosemary Wells's Felix and the Worrier (Candlewick, 2003), Scaredy Squirrel needn't fret about finding readers to cheer him on.-Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Watts conveys a difficult theme ? with an energetic playfulness ? (Scaredy Squirrel is) a masterful balance of charm, comedy and serious realism.
The bold, inviting compositions ... and paint-box colors ? add energy.
The bold, inviting compositions ... and paint-box colors ? add energy.
With his iconic nervous grin and over-the-top punctiliousness, Scaredy Squirrel is an endearing character.
With his iconic nervous grin and over-the-top punctiliousness, Scaredy Squirrel is an endearing character.
Readers of any age will chuckle with recognition at the squirrel’s attempts to control his life.
Readers of any age will chuckle with recognition at the squirrel’s attempts to control his life.
Bound to win over its readers, parent and child, at the outset with its wry wit.
Bound to win over its readers, parent and child, at the outset with its wry wit.
Youngsters will go nuts over this one.
Youngsters will go nuts over this one.
The bold, inviting compositions ... and paint-box colors ? add energy.
Watts conveys a difficult theme ? with an energetic playfulness ? (Scaredy Squirrel is) a masterful balance of charm, comedy and serious realism.
