Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
Kindergarten-Grade 3—Scaredy Squirrel is frightened by everything associated with the beach—seagulls, sea monsters, jellyfish, etc. He decides to vacation alone, at home, and creates a beach environment with a bag of kitty litter, a plastic flamingo, a flashlight for sunlight, etc. Something is missing, though—the sound of the ocean. The squirrel then devises an elaborate plan to retrieve a seashell (unoccupied) from the real beach by mailing himself to the shore. He has such a good day there—amid the crowd of people—that he forgets his fears and decides to populate his personal beach with a crowd of garden gnomes. Children with fears of the unknown will relate to this tale. The simple story line explains Scaredy Squirrel's worries, plans, and activities in a humorous way. Digitally rendered illustrations in pastel, Floridian colors add amusing details. This is an excellent book to share one-on-one.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.