Chirp!: Chipmunk Sings for a Friend

by Jamie A. Swenson, Scott Magoon (Illustrator)

Overview

“This gentle, simply told story addresses the importance and enjoyment of friendship and collaboration." —Kirkus Reviews

A chipmunk searches for someone to sing along with her in this sweet and funny celebration of true friendship, featuring art by New York Times bestselling illustrator Scott Magoon.

Chipmunk spends her days sitting on her rock and chirping her song—sometimes it’s happy, sometimes it’s bittersweet, and sometimes it’s very sad indeed. When Chipmunk goes off to find a companion that will sing along with her, she encounters some bumps (and pine cones) along the way, and finds friends (and harmonies) in unexpected places.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534470026
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	07/13/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,073,857
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD520L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jamie A. Swenson is the author of If You Were a Dog, illustrated by Chris Raschka, which HuffPost called “one of the best read-aloud books of the year.” Kirkus Reviews called Big Rig, illustrated by Ned Young, “a friend [readers] won’t soon forget.” Jamie is also the author of the Woof & Quack early reader series, which Kirkus Reviews called “just as much fun” as Elephant & Piggie. She holds an MFA in creative writing for children and young adults from Hamline University, and works as an associate librarian and early literary specialist. She lives in Wisconsin with her family. Learn more at JamieASwenson.com.

Scott Magoon has illustrated many critically-acclaimed picture books, including the New York Times bestselling Rescue & Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, which also received a Schneider Family Book Award, Straw by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman. He is the author-illustrator of Breathe, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Read Aloud and a Best Book of the Year by the HuffPost and Chicago Public Library. Scott lives in the Boston area with his wife and two sons. Visit him online at ScottMagoon.com.

Editorial Reviews

A chipmunk sits on her rock, chirping happy songs, bittersweet songs, and sometimes, songs that are very sad. While Rock excels at listening, Chipmunk longs for a friend who can sing with her. . . . Nicely phrased and using repetition effectively, the text is strongly in touch with young children’s impulse to befriend inanimate objects that come alive in their imaginations. The expressive, digital illustrations set the stage beautifully and bring the characters to life. . . . An appealing picture book exploring friendship and music.

April 15, 2021 - Booklist

2021-03-31
Voices that join together make sweet music indeed.

Chipmunk lives on a rock, spending most of her days singing—“chirping”—songs that are happy, bittersweet, or sad. She really wants a singing partner. (Rock only listens.) On a walkabout, she encounters a pinecone whom she brings home, but Pinecone’s no better at singing than Rock is. Another day, Chipmunk finds a log she can’t move. Disconsolate, she sings a song “in my heart” laden with loneliness and defeat, which a listening raccoon appreciatively calls “sad” and “beautiful.” Raccoon helps with the log, but the pair’s efforts fail. Raccoon joins Chipmunk’s song, adding lyrics about frustration. A moose praises the duo’s tune, sung from “our hearts,” and offers pushing assistance. Moose’s strength finally dislodges the log, landing it…right near Rock and Pinecone. In the end, these objects become fast friends and perfect listeners to the songs that Chipmunk, Raccoon, and Moose sing together. This gentle, simply told story addresses the importance and enjoyment of friendship and collaboration. The eye-catching illustrations feature colors and patterns suggesting the emotional heft of Chipmunk’s airs; ample white space permits focus on the tale’s lively goings-on. The animal protagonists have engaging personalities and faces; their coats’ realistic furriness is achieved via the artist’s deft, swift strokes. (This book was reviewed digitally with 7-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 43.5% of actual size.)

Sweet music is best heard by those who really listen. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews