Girl Versus Squirrel

Pearl is trying to turn her backyard into a bird oasis, but a wily squirrel keeps outwitting her, swiping peanuts from a feeder that she has taken particular pride in creating ("It looked like a teacup/ because it was a teacup"). Pearl does her best to discourage the squirrel (and even admits there's nothing like a worthy foe to get the creative juices flowing), and eventually constructs "a network of obstacles... each more squirrel-challenging than the last"--only to be outwitted in an amazing show of squirrelly dexterity and nimbleness. Her admiration only grows when she discovers that the squirrel is a mother trying to feed her babies. "I proclaim your victory," she says, standing below the nest, "and I salute you, fearless, fluffy sister!" Cartooned illustrations by Andriani (Dudley's Day at Home) are loads of fun, capturing this backyard battle of wills from every angle. The real star, however, is the luscious text by Barrett (Babymoon), redolent with rousing G-rated expletives and rollicking proclamations that feel almost Shakespearean. "Drat, drat, drat," Pearl declaims before making peace with her adversary. "You're a bird-feeder-crashing, teacup-smashing, peanut-poaching pest!" Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agency: Studio Goodwin Sturges. (June)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Pearl is a young girl who has built three lovely bird feeders in her backyard. As she proudly watches birds come feed from them, she is surprised that none have touched her favorite one--a teacup filled with peanuts. She soon realizes that there is a dastardly squirrel absconding with the food. This discovery begins a test of wills as Pearl uses Rube Goldberg-like ingenuity to build outrageous contraptions to outsmart the wily rodent. Instead of being vanquished, the squirrel excels at climbing higher, and he also walks across tightropes and jumps through nets. When Pearl realizes this ninja-like squirrel is actually a mother taking the peanuts to feed her babies, she feels an affinity towards this creature and that puts them on the same team. Pearl sets about creating even more elaborate bird-feeder contraptions to help these young squirrels become as nimble and speedy as their mother. A squirrel fact page is included at the end of the book. VERDICT A compelling and generous addition to picture book collections that can inspire young naturalists and builders, and create a well of empathy in storytimes.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ Cartooned illustrations by Andriani (Dudley's Day at Home) are loads of fun, capturing this backyard battle of wills from every angle. The real star, however, is the luscious text by Barrett (Babymoon), redolent with rousing G-rated expletives and rollicking proclamations that feel almost Shakespearean.—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ A compelling and generous addition to picture book collections that can inspire young naturalists and builders, and create a well of empathy in storytimes.—School Library Journal, Starred Review

Any animal-lover will enjoy this creative, STEM powered book and appreciate its appended 'Squirrelly Facts.' . . . Dynamic illustrations capture the ingenuity of Pearl's complex designs and the playfulness of the squirrel to deliver a story kids will go nuts for. —Booklist

Barrett's high-energy narrative is filled with action verbs that give it a pleasingly crisp forward movement while Andriani's illustrations are just as pleasingly varied in their presentation and keep up perfectly with the text. . . . Determination and perseverance—both girl's and squirrel's—are celebrated.—Kirkus Reviews