Saturday, February 26, 2011

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party. Melanie Watt. 2011. Kids Can Press. 32 pages.

Scaredy Squirrel never has big birthday parties. He'd rather celebrate alone quietly up in his tree than party below and risk being taken by surprise. A few surprises Scaredy Squirrel is afraid could spoil the party: Bigfoot, confetti, clownfish, ants, ponies, and porcupines. So he plans a small celebration where he's the only life of the party. 

To know him is to love him, at least for me. I always enjoy a good Scaredy Squirrel picture book. He's a delightfully timid--and anxious--character. His fears may not be rational--but who are we to judge?! After all, how rational is it to be afraid of clowns? Yet a good many of us are! Anyway, I love Scaredy Squirrel. I love his "plans." I love how he tries to stay in control. I love his ultimate back-up plan--to play dead--to deal with the unknown, to deal with his fears. I love how things never go according to his plan. Like it or not, this squirrel is always having to adapt. And these "changes" may be "scary" at first, but ultimately, they're for the best.

This one was an enjoyable addition to the Scaredy Squirrel series. My review of Scaredy Squirrel, Scaredy Squirrel at Night, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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