Synopsis:It’s tough being a squirrel. There are dangers all around- germs, green martians, sharks. But Scaredy Squirrel is well prepared-or thinks he is…..

Review: A quirky front cover with decorated endpapers and a  funny warning about washing hands before reading, presumably so you don’t give Scaredy Squirrel any germs, is a nice touch children might appreciate. The illustrations are bright and simple and clear throughout and most are double page spreads incorporating clear text and labels. There is humour throughout the text and the illustrations marry with it very well  This is particularly noticeable on the double page spread of the things that Scaredy Squirrel is scared of including green martians and killer bees. Scaredy Squirrel finds advantages and disadvantages in staying in his tree. His daily routine, wake up, eat a nut, look at view, eat a nut etc is not very exciting. Scaredy Squirrel does have an emergency kit with helpful items such as sardines to distract sharks. However, one day ‘killer’ bees arrive, he knocks his emergency kit out of the tree and has to jump out of the tree and something amazing happens, he feels he can fly and this puts a whole new slant on life.

A lovely humorous, life affirming story to share with children. It would read out loud well and the clear illustrations would mean it could be shared in a group. It would have a place in PSCHE curriculum.

2006-11-03