May 1, 2021
Always be prepared...to be underprepared. Scaredy Squirrel is perfectly happy to stay in his nut tree, away from the myriad dangers plaguing the outside world, like aliens, germs, cacti, and evil dust bunnies. Or, as the case may turn out to be, not-so-evil dust-free bunnies, who do pesky and panic-inducing things like clog Scaredy's trusty vacuum and try to make friends. In a nutshell: a risky situation! Scaredy, of course, has constructed contingency plans for his contingency plans in hopes of avoiding such situations (when in doubt, play dead). But the best-laid plans of squirrels and men oft go awry, leading Scaredy to discover that sometimes, a risk can yield a mighty (and tasty) reward. With this outing, Watt gives her award-winning Scaredy Squirrel picture-book series, published over a decade ago, a graphic-novel upgrade for a contemporary audience. Fortunately, no familiarity with the series is required to quickly get a grasp of this quirky, querulous, and ultimately rather adorable character. The simple story is enlivened by bold, expressive artwork and stylistic embellishments; Scaredy, an overthinker top to tail, is especially fond of lists and charts. An impressive collection of fears and cameos, including the insidiously ubiquitous Gary the Germ, promises plenty of nutty adventures to come (confirmed in the concluding FAQ). In a nutshell: short and sweet. (Graphic fiction. 6-9)
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June 1, 2021
PreS-Gr 2-Reader favorite Scaredy Squirrel is back for another fun adventure in this first installment of the graphic novel series based on the beloved picture books. Scaredy is as obsessed as ever with keeping his nuts and tree free from intruders like cats, woodpeckers, mammoths, and aliens. When his fool-proof plan goes awry, he must come up with a new idea, and then another. But along the way, perhaps he might even make a friend. Featuring panels and other graphic novel elements, this delightful, laugh-out-loud tale is the rare example of a picture book that can be read to younger children yet will still appeal to beginning readers. Young readers experiencing anxiety about safety will likely find this tale relatable and calming. The cartoon-style artwork has a childlike simplicity, with bright colors that pop, yet is sophisticated enough to convey emotions, plot, and movement. VERDICT This one is a must where other "Scaredy Squirrel" books are popular-but newcomers to the series will be sucked in, too. Engaging, humorous, and utterly relatable.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage P.L., AK
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