Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party

by Mélanie Watt, Mélanie Watt (Illustrator)

Overview

In the fifth book, Scaredy Squirrel plans his own birthday and surprise!... things get very crowded.

Scaredy Squirrel is planning his own birthday party for one - but despite his detailed plans, things get out of control when the party animals arrive.

He’s back! Scaredy Squirrel, the loveable worrywart, returns for another nutty adventure. Scaredy never plans big birthday parties. He’d rather celebrate alone quietly in the safety of his nut tree and avoid those pesky party animals (ants, clownfish, ponies and Bigfoot). When all his excessive plans are thrown up in the air like confetti, will Scaredy play dead and cancel? Or will he face the music?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554537167
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	03/28/2014
Series:	Scaredy Squirrel Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	144,608
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melanie Watt is an acclaimed children's book author and illustrator. Her books include the Scaredy Squirrel, Chester and Learning With Animals series, Augustine, Leon the Chameleon and Have I Got a Book for You! She lives near Montreal.

Melanie Watt is an acclaimed children's book author and illustrator. Her books include the Scaredy Squirrel, Chester and Learning With Animals series, Augustine, Leon the Chameleon and Have I Got a Book for You! She lives near Montreal.

Editorial Reviews

Watt's wry digital illustrations make the most of the perceived mayhem, using a host of graphic conventions to tell her story. There's no question it's a formula by now, but it's still a winning one. Many happy returns, Scaredy.—Kirkus Reviews

Scaredy Squirrel will be enjoyed by children who have gone to a birthday party or two and can appreciate the slapstick humor.—School Library Journal

Watt's latest, rendered in her characteristic brightly coloured style, is sheer fun.—Montreal Review of Books

From the Publisher

It shouldn't surprise readers that Scaredy Squirrel doesn't like, well, surprises. And, as his fifth picture book demonstrates, that includes birthday party surprises, even when it's his birthday. Scaredy is all too aware of the pitfalls that can spoil such an occasion: confetti, Bigfoot, clownfish, ants, ponies, and porcupines. His solution? Scaredy Squirrel, party of one, please. But Scaredy's plan to not invite any guests gets tossed aside when he receives a birthday card from Buddy the dog; he invites Buddy, a "risky move!" that upends the rest of Scaredy's porcupine- and pony-defying preparations when Buddy shows up with several canine friends. After freaking out ("He chases... He screams... He ducks... He freezes and... PLAYS DEAD"), Scaredy realizes (as usual) that all his worrying is for naught. Might the panphobic squirrel finally be cured? Don't bet on it, but kids should have as much fun as ever following along as Watt shares Scaredy's idea of party small talk ("So, do you come here often?") and birthday dos and don'ts. Hint: the only "do" is "sit quietly." Ages 3–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 2—Scaredy Squirrel's birthday is rapidly approaching. He plans to celebrate as he always has—safe and sound in his oak tree, where no one can surprise him. But an unexpected birthday card leads him to expand the party. When some "party animals" appear, he finds that it is worth letting go of your worries when you're surrounded by friends. This book is very detailed—the protagonist keeps copious lists of things he is scared of, party plans, and safety precautions to protect him from any surprises or loud noises. All of these plans are layered across the pages, with grids of illustrations or checklists trailing down the pages. This is definitely a book for one-on-one sharing or individual reading sessions. The illustrations are exactly what Watt is known for—round-faced animals, goofy expressions, and lots and lots of worry. Scaredy Squirrel will be enjoyed by children who have gone to a birthday party or two and can appreciate the slapstick humor. They might also sense a bit of the isolation that the squirrel's anxiety has created in the past.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

School Library Journal