Those Darn Squirrels!

Those Darn Squirrels

by Adam Rubin

Little ones and grown-ups will giggle through multiple reads of Those Darn Squirrels! From the creators of Dragons Love Tacos comes the story of what happens when a grumpy old man and some mischievous squirrels match wits―with hilarious results. Old Man Fookwire is a grump. The only thing he likes to do is paint pictures of the birds that visit his backyard. The problem is, they fly south every winter, leaving him sad and lonely. So he decides to get them to stay by putting up beautiful bird feeders filled with seeds and berries. Unfortunately, the squirrels like the treats, too, and make a daring raid on the feeders. The conflict escalates―until the birds depart (as usual), and the squirrels come up with a plan that completely charms the old grump. The three funny picture books in this series from Adam Rubin and Daniel

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Birds, Storytime

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 8, 2008

About the author

Adam Rubin is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of ten critically-acclaimed picture books, including the Those Darn Squirrels trilogy, Dragons Love Tacos, Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel, Secret Pizza Party, Robo-Sauce and El Chupacabras (winner of the 2020 Texas Blue Bonnet award). In between writing projects, he designs and collects optical illusions, puzzles and games. His favorite color is blue, his favorite food is fried chicken, and his favorite animal is the otter. Adam currently lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Man Fookwire is sick of the squirrels stealing his birdseed, and driving away his beloved birds. He attempts several schemes to thwart them, but, alas, the squirrels have some schemes of the own. In addition to being furry freeloaders, they're also mechanical geniuses.



This book had a special appeal to me, as I've had my own struggles with these cursed beasts - well documented in my review of Outwitting Squirrels: 101 Cunning Stratagems to Reduce Dramatically the Egregious Misappropriation of Seed from Your Birdfeeder by Squirrels.

Like Fookwire, I've reached a truce with the fuzzy-tailed plunderers which consists of the squirrels eating all they want while I silently fume.

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those Darn Squirrels! That saying says it all. It’s got a great sense of humor. It’s a funny story with some wacky schemes that Old Man Fookwire and the Squirrels do to each-other.

My 6-year-old just loves both his parents reading this story to him. He laughs at the antics the Old Man does and “Those Darn Squirrels”….

It’s a load of fun and laughs for all ages.

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book!

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler's bedtime. There's this man who likes to paint. He likes birds. But birds migrate for winter and he gets lonely when they are not around. He thought to set up foods for them to keep them around but the squirrels wanted some too. The squirrels play tricks to get what they want. Good humor and awesome illustrations.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Man Fookwire has a plan. He'll build some bird feeders and fill them with yummy seeds and berries. That way, the wild birds he loves so much will stick around for the winter--instead of flying south. But there are other hungry creatures in the forest, and the have plans, too...Those darn squirrels!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book with my son and he loved it!

The story is entertaining and the illustrations are really well done. Looking forward to the next book.

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HRCYED2: Make A Quote

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute and relatable children’s book that tells the story of a grumpy and sometimes lonely old man. Mr. Fookwire has interactions with the neighborhood squirrels as they attempt to stock up their winter food supply from his birdfeeders.  The only thing Mr. Fookwire likes is painting pictures of the birds that visit his yard, but those darn squirrels are always devising a plan to empty out the birdfeeders.  This is man vs. critter in a battle of wits to see who will ultimately have control of the feeders.  In the end, Mr. Fookwire and the squirrels come together to make each other happy. 

This was such a fun book to read and the illustrations brought a squirrel’s life to a whole new level.  I highly recommend this children’s book to children and to adults who want a good laugh.

Deborah A. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Googley Moogley!
Those furry tricky dickbag squirrels! Ruin all the fun and eat what doesn't belong to them.
Shake your fist. Shake harder boy!!

[Katja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of the art at all. I had a strong urge to paper over Fookwire (not a great name for a kids' book by the way, pronounce at your own risk) with some happy Minion stickers my kids have lying around.

Plus, I know I'm taking this too seriously (hey, I'm German, it cones with the nationality), but the premise that all garden birds leave for the south in winter is just wrong and annoyed my inner bird nerd.

I'll sell this one again and hope that someone else will appreciate it more than I do.

[Wynona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it when the squirrels dresde up as birds.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grumpy old man leaves out food for the wild birds he loves so much, but a local band of mischievous squirrels keeps taking the seeds and berries. When all the food is gone and the birds have flown south for the winter, the squirrels decide it's time for them to give something back to the man. Very funny but also contains a serious underlying theme. The art style is a bit odd, but the color palette is lovely and the inventive illustrations add additional fun and humor.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny book - hilarious illustrations. This one is a winner, especially if you have had the experience of watching squirrels raid your bird feeder - those darn squirrels! That's what has happened to Old Man Fookwire (so old that dust comes out of his nose when he sneezes). The only thing this grump likes is birds. He realizes that if he puts up bird feeders in his yard, he will attract more birds. But he attracts squirrels, too. And those squirrels are smart! A particularly amusing illustration (with the caption "They are also excellent at math.") shows two squirrels high-fiving each other over an abacus. Hooray! A book that portrays math in a good light. I could give five stars just for that, but watching those squirrels go to work on the feeders is such a delight. Now I can hardly wait to read Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door. Love good books with sequels!

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I love the art and the sense of humor.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squirrels are delightful creatures, obviously.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally get the hype behind this series now—super funny and heartwarming while being somewhat informative at the same time.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on the edge of my seat.

[Shamika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text-to-Teaching
What a clever book! It revolved around an old man who loves birds and wanted to keep them around all year long. Therefore, his mission was to provide enough food for the birds to stick around. However, the squirrels nearby continued to destruct the old man's plan by repeatedly eating the bird's food. I would have the kids to make cut-outs of different birds and colors, and hang them from the ceiling. Also I would provide mini birds feeders and place them outside (near the playground), and have a different student feed them every other day as a job duty, which teaches them responsibility.

[Maddy Pesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10
Those darn squirrels are so cute !!
If you like squirrels, give this one a read

[Emma Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

He only likes birds and not ssquirrels

[D'Iberville Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hilarious tale of a grumpy old man who loves his birds. He doesn't want them to go south for the winter, so he tries to bribe them with gloriously decorated bird feeders. Unfortunately, squirrels, who are quite clever, want the seeds, too. They come up with all kinds of contraptions to get to the feeders and Old Man Fookwire tries his best to outsmart them. The birds eventually leave and go south. The squirrels, seeing how sad this makes Old Man Fookwire, dress up as birds. Suddenly, we see the dawning of a new friendship.

The first book in a series of books about those darn squirrels.

Highly recommended.

[Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like Adam Rubin's books, and there's a lot of cleverness going on here on the part of the squirrels. The problem? I just can't get over how much the grumpy old man looks like a total pedo.

[Heather Dunbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork kind of creeped me out in this book, just look at the cover at the guy's nose! But after reading the story I realized that the style used by the illustrator was essential to the story, and it really wouldn't be the same otherwise (the man is purposely depicted as ugly). "He hated pie. He hated puppies. The only thing he liked were birds", his hate included the squirrels who tried to eat the bird food. When the birds went south for the winter, he was sad. The squirrels felt bad so they tried to make him happy. At first they try to give him string and other fine, shiny objects that they've collected, but that doesn't work. So then they decide to dress up like birds. In the end he grew fond of the squirrels, and let them keep him company during the winter. This book was ok, I really liked how original the story was. It also had quite a bit of humor in it, which is probably the main reason for the Child Choice award.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read those darn squirrels in class one day, not expecting to leave the classroom a different person. This book will forever change the way I look at old people who sneeze dust. In this book, Old Man Fookwire hates everything, even puppies! The only thing he likes are the birds on his birdfeeder. He has a problem one day though, he sees squirrels on his birdfeeder. Old Man Fookwire isn't a big fan of squirrels. But one day, the squirrels have a change of heart for the Old Man Fookwire.

I think this book shows that not all old people are mean, and squirrels are nice and sweet. The illustrations in this book are incredible, from the squirrels dressed up as birds, to Old Man Fookwire, sneezing his dust. They are funny, colorful, and imaginative. I really like a book when I write a review that's longer than the book itself. 5 out of 5 stars.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super funny book. It is so true. My brother calls squirrels "information gatherers". They are very smart indeed. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The illustrator is fabulous too. He nails the expressions and the whole squirrel character. I especially loved page 11 where they make the bed,kite, and do math to boot! This book leaves you with a positive outlook on those darn squirrels!

I had to read this one again so I can share it with my little guy next Tuesday. This is one of my favorites and I never tire of it. I hope he will enjoy it too.

[Magila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This is basically the tale of my wife's fight against the squirrels that steal our birdfeed. For that reason, we really liked it.

I found the illustration of the old man a little odd, and for that reason wasn't able to completely fall in love. The squirrels were great. The birds were amazing. I'm not sure that I preferred, or disliked that the names of all the birds were made up. So I consider that element neutral.

Overall, a very fun little story with a pleasant ending and a few nice lessons.

[Lobstergirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Old Man Fookwire was so old that when he sneezed, dust came out." He hates pie, and puppies. The only thing he likes is birds, which he paints crappy paintings of. To keep the birds year round, he builds birdfeeders, which are raided by squirrels. The writing was funny, and Daniel Salmieri's goofy watercolor and gouache illustrations are perfect. (Except, I didn't actually like the way his skies are full of specks.)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freakin' hilarious - the grumpy old man who only like birds might just be won over by those darn squirrels if they try hard enough. Illustrations match the text so well that you'd think that the author had illustrated it. Great read-aloud for older elementary school age kids, especially for boys or reluctant readers b/c of the humor.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

my 2 year old daughter and i really enjoy this book. the story is fun with a touch of silly and the illustrations make it even more amusing! it is about grumpy old fookwire and the squirrels that eventually befriend him. who knew squirrels could be so sweet! often a bedtime request in our house (sometimes mama is the one making the request).

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha! Old Man Fookwire's similarities to my Grandpa Kensel and their shared feelings about squirrels hooked me. Wry text about scheming furry-tailed varmints (who I learned excel at math) with illustrations that supplement the story with cheek to spare won me.

I think I just found another book to read to my daughters' class when I'm the Mystery Reader for story time.

[Asha McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, and the idea is sweet. A grumpy, lonely old man tries to devise a way to keep the squirrels away from his bird feeders. He hopes that by doing this, the birds will stay with him instead of flying south for the winter.
A little longer than a typical toddler book, but would recommend the targeted age to be for 4-7 year olds.