Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
First introduced in Scaredy Squirrel (Youngsters will go nuts over this one, wrote PW), the fearful furry hero would rather be alone than risk encountering someone dangerous-until, quite by accident, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, written by M?lanie Watt. He sets out to befriend a benign goldfish and bumps into a menacing-seeming but actually quite harmless pooch. Fans will hope for much more from this endearing fellow. (Kids Can, $14.95 32p ages 4-8 ISBN 978-1-55453-181-3; Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Scaredy Squirrel is lonely, but he thinks that the pleasure of making a friend would be outweighed by the greater risk of potential danger. After all, there are a lot of things that bite out in the big world beyond his tree trunk such as beavers, bunnies, and, of course, Godzilla. Always thinking, Scaredy decides that the perfect friend (as in perfectly safe, clean, and quiet) would be the goldfish he spots across the park. He carefully outlines everything he will need to do to introduce himself to it, including handing over the Scaredy Risk Test to insure that his new friend is truly not a biter. What the squirrel doesn't plan for is the muddy, rowdy dog he encounters en route. However, he learns that friends come in all sorts of packages and that making an effort can really have rewards. The life lessons of the importance of overcoming one's fears and not judging on outward appearance are wrapped up in a witty package of deceptively simple cartoonlike illustrations that deliver great humor in a variety of lists and diagrams, such as the items Scaredy will need to make the perfect friend, how to outfit himself to make the perfect first impression, and an especially funny Perfect Plan map. The ebullient artwork, clever layout, and lively text make for a surefire hit.-Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Primary) In his first book (Scaredy Squirrel, rev. 5/06), our phobic friend survived a leap beyond his oak-tree comfort zone. In this outing, he's taking another bold step into the unknown; again, preparation is the key. Terrified of being bitten by piranhas or Godzilla, Scaredy Squirrel has kept to himself in the past. But when he spots a goldfish in a nearby fountain, he knows he's found the perfect germ-free, quiet, non-biting companion. ""Doesn't do much, BUT is 100% safe!"" Muted-color illustrations downplay Scaredy's anxieties and highlight the silliness of his over-the-top tactics; playfully varied page designs add liveliness to a lighthearted story that doesn't take itself too seriously. Armed with a chew toy ""to distract biters,"" air freshener ""to smell delightful,"" and mittens ""to hide sweaty paws,"" Scaredy Squirrel ventures out of his tree, setting his sights on the goldfish's fountain. Of course, things don't go according to his obsessively-thought-out six-step strategy. When an enthusiastic dog bounds onto the scene, Scaredy plays dead for two long hours (""NOT part of the Plan""). But does the dog even want to bite him? Scaredy Squirrel ends up with an ""83% safe, but LOTS OF FUN!"" friend, proving that sometimes the best-laid plans of squirrels (or anyone) are better off going awry. Copryight 2007 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
