Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep

by April Pulley Sayre, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)

Overview

Spend a day amongst the squirrels in this award-winning nonfiction picture book from celebrated author April Pulley Sayre and Caldecott Honor illustrator Steve Jenkins—now featuring updated end matter with even more illuminating info about these amazing creatures.

Squirrels wrestle.
Squirrels leap.
Squirrels climb.
Squirrels sleep!

If you followed a squirrel for a day, what would you see? Climbing branches, storing seeds, making homes in tree holes, and maybe even flying! Discover different kinds of squirrels as they scamper, eat, and—finally—sleep.

Acclaimed nature writer April Pulley Sayre’s lyrical text, paired with newly remastered collage illustrations by Steve Jenkins, offer a glimpse into this fascinating world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665980517
Publisher:	Beach Lane Books
Publication date:	11/04/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

April Pulley Sayre (1966–2021) was the award-winning author of more than fifty-five natural science books for children and adults, including her award-winning photo-illustrated books Being Frog, Raindrops Roll, and Best in Snow. Sayre’s books received an abundance of starred reviews, have been dubbed ALA Notable Books (Raindrops Roll; Rah, Rah, Radishes) and won a Geisel Honor (Vulture View). Learn more at AprilSayre.com.

Steven Jenkins (1952–2021) was the illustrator of many celebrated children’s books including Can an Aardvark Bark? and Fourteen Monkeys by Melissa Stewart; Hello, Baby! by Mem Fox; Mama Built a Little Nest and Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward; and the 2003 Caldecott Honor recipient, What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?, which he created with his wife, Robin Page. Learn more about his life and work at SteveJenkinsBooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Both contributors are at the top of their game, capturing the habits, characteristics, and energy of squirrels in meticulous rhymes (“Meet the squirrels./ Gray. Fox. Red./ Flying squirrel/ overhead”) and equally precise paper collages." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Apt verse and appealing visuals provide young naturalists with a springboard for discussion and further discovery." —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Woodpecker Wham!:

"Lovely and exciting, this title is a great hook for young researchers, as well as fledgling ornithologists." —School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Eat Like a Bear:

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students Pick

ASLC Notable Children's Book Pick

From the Publisher

2016-08-02
Sayre and Jenkins (Vulture View, 2007, etc.) collaborate again, here exploring the habits of squirrels.Four squirrel species native to the U.S. are introduced, but Jenkins’ cut-paper collages focus on the eastern fox squirrel. Sayre’s simple verses are delivered in short, staccato rhythms, occasionally asking readers to speculate or reflect. “Squirrels chirp. / Squirrels drink. / Can you guess / what squirrels think?” (A groundhog is pictured, without comment, in the accompanying spread.) The pictures nimbly extend the compressed text, showing a squirrel fleeing an avian predator and digging to bury acorns. An ensuing spread shows a row of acorns, buried in the earth below a dusting of snow. “Five are hidden. / Will they sprout?” A page turn shows four acorns in various stages of sprouting, while the fifth, sporting a small hole in its surface, remains inert. Additional information about squirrel habitat is appended, along with suggestions for fostering it by planting trees. Apt verse and appealing visuals provide young naturalists with a springboard for discussion and further discovery. (notes, bibliography of adult sources, website) (Informational picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Review