Squirrel-ish

by Bambi Edlund

Overview

An enterprising rat discovers the joy of being true to himself

At the park, people give squirrels free peanuts. And nobody screams when a squirrel crosses their path. But for Rat, it’s all screams and no nuts … until he comes up with a plan: be more like a squirrel—squirrel-ish!

When his attempts at adopting a squirrel-ish posture and pinning his ears down don’t make a difference, Rat considers his tail. And after a few crafty but failed squirrel-ish tail prototypes made from cotton balls, feathers, and spaghetti, he lands on a winning material: straw from a broom!

Finally, Rat can walk through the park without getting shooed. Free peanut in hand, he daydreams about building a re-tail empire … until the dogs in the park spot him and give chase. All of a sudden, Rat understands why squirrels do so much scampering! Maybe his rat tail isn’t so bad after all …

Brightly illustrated and packed with hilarious details and hidden gags, this laugh-out-loud ode to self-love reminds readers that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771475174
Publisher:	Owlkids Books
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

BAMBI EDLUND is an illustrator and writer living on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, and the author of Texas 2x2 nominated How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps. She spends much of her time drawing, sculpting, and chatting with the various critters that live nearby.

Editorial Reviews

"A strong choice for laugh-filled storytime. Amid those laughs, though, is a solid message about the perils of trying to be something you're not, which is a useful takeaway for little ones."

Booklist

"This is a fun addition to storytimes about identity and will be an oft repeated request for bedtime read alouds."

Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database

"A delightful and heartwarming title that champions the value of self-acceptance ... A perfect addition to all children's collections."

Canadian Review of Materials

2024-07-04
A rat tries to masquerade as a squirrel.

“You know who has it easy?” the rat asks readers. “Squirrels.” Rats get chased with brooms or sprayed with water, and they elicit screams. Squirrels, on the other hand, get free peanuts at the park. After realizing that squirrels and rats aren’t physically all that different, the rat attempts to alter its appearance until it lands on a guise that’s convincing and squirrel-ish enough. Unfortunately, even the dogs are fooled, and they pursue our hero with a resounding and excited “SQUIRREL!” The protagonist narrates in first person, directly addressing readers, which will make little ones feel like the rat’s buddy—a choice that’s sure to have them giggling along. The cartoon illustrations are highly appealing and crucial to the storytelling, as when the rat’s makeshift squirrel tail (fashioned from dry spaghetti noodles) gets wet in the rain. The rat’s whole face is expressive, right down to its ears, and the comic-book feel of some of the layouts conveys action and keeps the pace moving. There’s also plenty for adults to enjoy: After the rat’s broomstick tail becomes a hit, the rodent ponders starting a “Re-Tail Store.” All readers will smile as a squirrel longingly watches the rat easily dodge an eager pup and sighs: “Rats have it sooo easy.”

A perfectly goofy, inviting testament to the familiar adage about the grass being greener on the other side.(Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews