69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear

69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the BIG Hungry Bear. Don and Audrey Wood. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture books, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Hello, little Mouse. What are you doing? Oh, I see. Are you going to pick that red, ripe strawberry? But, little Mouse, haven't you heard about the big, hungry bear? Ohhh, how that Bear loves red, ripe strawberries!

Premise/plot: Little Mouse has JUST picked a red, ripe strawberry. Now Mouse is worried--and rightfully so perhaps--that a BIG HUNGRY bear might just come along and take it from her. Is there a way Mouse can make sure NO hungry bear eats her strawberry?

My thoughts: I'm honestly not sure if it's the narrator who "helps" Little Mouse solve the problem, or if it's meant to be you, the reader, who "helps" save the day. I'm guessing probably the narrator--but I could see it going either way. That's how it goes with books written in the second person.

This one is SUPER fun. I love, love, love, love the illustrations. I love how gigantic the strawberry looks because everything is through the perspective of Little Mouse. And I love the story. Who could resist cheering for Little Mouse????

Definitely one I love to read again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

68. Scaredy Squirrel

68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy.

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. He'd rather stay in his safe and familiar tree than risk venturing out into the unknown. The unknown can be a scary place for a squirrel.

I really liked this picture book. I liked Scaredy Squirrel a lot. I could relate to him in some ways. Because the unknown can be a bit scary. Readers may not share Scaredy Squirrels exact fears--green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, and sharks--but chances are they can relate to fearing something. Scaredy Squirrel is thrust into an adventure and forced into facing the unknown. And he learns that sometimes fears are just silly, and that life is meant to be enjoyed, to be lived. Out of the nut tree.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers