Squirrel Needs a Break

by Kristen Remenar, Matt Faulkner (Illustrator)

Every parent needs a break sometimes! Single parent Squirrel learns to lean on friends in this heartwarming and funny picture book about family and community.

Squirrel is at his wits' end after a long winter inside with his kits. His friends--the other woodland creatures--decide to work together to give him a much-deserved break. They hatch a plan to take turns helping Squirrel relax while they entertain the kits. Squirrel enjoys a day of self care, as the kits play, bake, and do fun activities with the other animals. It doesn't take long for Squirrel's friends to realize just how hard he works each day.

Full of humor, this book embodies the message that it takes a village--or, in this case, a forest--to raise a family!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler: I wrote it and my husband illustrated it so I kind of love it. Hope you do, too!

[Richetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Squirrel Needs a Break by Kristen Remenar and illustrated by Matt Faulkner

This is a community equals family book. If you are familiar with the phrase “It takes a village…” then you will understand why Squirrels friends try to help him out by giving him a Dad’s Day Out. Each of squirrels friends takes a turn caring for the kits for part of the day, while someone else treats Squirrel to something special.

As a mom of young kids, I appreciate both the friends’ kindness and their humbleness when they realize how much energy and patience it takes to take care of the little kits. But they work together to make sure that Squirrel gets a day to refresh himself.

It was nice to see a single dad as the focus of the story. This book definitely highlights the stress and love it takes to raise little ones. And the meaningfulness of it all when your community family pitches in to help out.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Squirrel's just about had it with taking care of his three rambunctious kids, so his animal pals step in to help out. They take turns entertaining squirrel and babysitting the tykes. By the end of the day, everyone is worn out.

There's a nice message here about being kind to others, but I was kind of creeped out by the human-looking faces on all the animals, and the hair on the hare.

Hopefully kids will enjoy this one more than I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the read.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

So - i have THOUGHTS about this picturebook
first - the illustrations are very strange - they tried to make the animals human- like shaped - one has muscles and one has like a wig/blowout hair situation going on...

second - I get that dads are busy and involved too - but I think this would have landed better with me if it had been the animal friends rallying around the mom rather than the dad....

I dunno....just an odd book

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squirrel's friends offer to help with the kits while he is given all sorts of relaxing on a special day. There is a Father's Day party at the end of the day and all his friends tell Squirrel that his kits have a lot of energy!

Speech bubbles and text in this adorable book with great pictures by Matt Faulkner.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general, I like this book. The illustrations are great, the story is funny, etc. However, the messaging bothers me. This is a dad that’s constantly busy with his kids and just needs a break. Part of it, are the kids misbehaving or are they just rambunctious.

[Rebekah Children's books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In appreciation to all dads, especially single dads.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this fun tale! Kids will love seeing the antics Squirrel's kits get up to and parents will appreciate the humor and truth of the parenting situations.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and I think it was really interesting and funny

[Andrea Bunny]

I saw this read by the wonderful author at the library. It goes beyond just a book. It has depth and meaning for dads. There is a great lesson and it teaches empathy in a relevant and relatable way. We have thousands of books, and this one we will cherish! To add, the illustrations are friendly and full of warmth. I’m glad to own a couple copies of this.