August 1, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-Squirrel is on the hunt for his acorn. He digs and digs to look for it but can't find it. Squirrel decides to ask his fellow woodland creatures-the skunk, the raccoon-but before they can remind him what buried acorns grow into, he moves on to the next creature. He encounters a fox, but luckily Squirrel knows to stay far away. Finally, Squirrel runs into an owl who tries to unsuccessfully direct Squirrel to where his acorn is. Even with owl's directions, Squirrel remains unaware that his acorn has started to sprout. Another acorn falls from a tree, and Squirrel, thinking it's the original acorn, is happy to be reunited. He promptly buries the new acorn, sure to start the comic events over again. The colorful digital illustrations of Squirrel and his friends are flat but entertaining as they depict Squirrel's journey. Readers will laugh at Squirrel as they see him barrel along, and will delight in knowing what he does not, that acorns grow into trees. VERDICT This funny picture book about a clueless, acornless squirrel is a solid purchase for collections.-Myiesha Speight
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 15, 2024
Acorns don't just disappear...Squirrel is off to find the thief. Squirrel knows where he buried his acorn, and it isn't there! He draws the only conclusion he can: Someone has stolen it. Is Deer the culprit? "Oh, no. I would never," says Deer. "But are you sure it hasn't sprouted into--" Squirrel interrupts Deer. He has no time to talk! He must find his acorn. Did Skunk take it? "I may stink, but my morals don't," replies Skunk, who also tries to explain what might have happened. Squirrel cuts off Skunk, too. Raccoon and Woodpecker have similar run-ins. Fox hasn't seen the acorn and tries to trick Squirrel into becoming lunch, but Squirrel backs away. Owl finally tries to enlighten Squirrel by pointing to the little oak tree that's growing where the acorn should be. Squirrel doesn't understand, so Owl explains--but is interrupted when an acorn falls from above onto Owl's head. Squirrel assumes it's his beloved acorn. He hugs it...and promptly buries it. Ryland's tongue-in-cheek "mystery" will entertain young listeners. Accompanied by a smattering of narration, the comic-panel-style illustrations depict the animals' dialogue in colors that match their fur (or feathers). The digitally created illustrations resemble watercolor and colored pencil and feature big-eyed cartoon forest creatures. A whimsical whodunit.(Picture book. 4-8)
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