Ol' Mama Squirrel

by David Ezra Stein

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein’s lively tale is a fantastic read-aloud, and feisty Mama Squirrel will have fierce mamas everywhere applauding!Ol’ Mama Squirrel has raised lots of babies, and she knows just how to protect them. Whenever trouble comes nosing around, she springs into action with a determined “Chook, chook, chook!” and scares trouble away. Her bravery is put to the test, however, when a really big threat wanders into town and onto her tree. But no matter what, Mama’s not about to back down!

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2013

About the author

David Ezra Stein is an author-illustrator whose previous books include LEAVES, winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something so reassuring about Ol' Mama Squirrel. She's feisty and stubborn, and she always protects her babies, scaring away any threat (real or imagined) with a "Chook! Chook! Chook!" Not even a grizzly bear can compete with Ol' Mama Squirrel, especially when she calls in the other mama squirrels who are determined to protect the babies.

I think this would be the best Mother's Day read-aloud, instead of an overly-sweet ode to mommy dearest. Kids will cheer for Ol' Mama Squirrel and feel secure in knowing that their mama is fiercely protecting them, too. Plus, it's so fun to have a group of kids saying "Chook! Chook! Chook!"

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a gal! Nothing will stop Mama Squirrel from protecting her babies.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so funny, I literally laughed out loud. Again!!

David Ezra Stein did it again.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stein’s latest picture book is an uproarious read aloud and will be a welcome addition to any storytime. Mama Squirrel knows that all sorts of creatures want to eat her baby squirrels, but she won’t let that happen. She scolds all sorts of creatures away with her fierce “Chook, chook, chook!” Cats, dogs, owls, even humans scatter at her determination to protect her babies. Until one day when a bear comes to her tree. Mama Squirrel tries scolding, she tries throwing nuts, but the bear stays and then says that he will eat her entire tree! Mama Squirrel has one last trick though, and it’s an amazing one!

This book is one amazing read aloud. It is designed specifically to be shared aloud and I think will shine with a good sized group in particular. The scolding noise of the mother squirrel will have everyone “chook, chook chooking” along with her. The result will be one of my favorite sorts of story times: loud shared love of a story.

Stein’s art will work well with a group too. Her fierce defense of her babies projects straight from the page from her lowered brows and the set of her entire body. The illustrations have a rough edge to them that adds to their appeal.

Get this into your pile of books to share at your next story time, or keep it stored like fall nuts for the next time you need a great read aloud. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story of a tough mama who fearlessly defends her babies from threats real and imagined--and shows that the small can conquer the mighty with a little diligence and imagination.

It's a funny book with good narrative structure. The repetition of story elements is perfect for children and helps them to understand the determination of Ol' Mama Squirrel. There were a few moments where I chuckled to myself. I also loved the call of "chook chook chook" that Mama makes whenever she's scolding a possible intruder.

The artwork is lively. Stein uses primarily greens, browns, and grays to color his images, giving the book a real sense of the natural world that squirrels inhabit. I enjoyed his artistic style which uses heavy lines, watercolors, and crayons.

The one thing I didn't like was the ending. It took me out of the story a bit--with the squirrel being awarded a plaque by the humans of the town. It felt a bit jarring. If it weren't for the strange ending, I might have gone with a four star rating. But endings are important--and this one didn't work for me.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book. It reminds me of the squirrel who frequently visits our backyard. "Chook, chook, chook," is exactly what it sounds like, sometimes incessantly. It's fun to watch. Alena liked the sound effects.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read aloud! Mama Squirrel is super protective of her baby squirrels and she scares off every type of predator you can imagine with her warning call of "Chook! Chook! Chook!" Her biggest match is a grizzly bear, but she enlists the help of nearby squirrels to put him in his place.

Illustrations were rendered using ink, watercolor and crayon.

The repetition of "Chook! Chook! Chook!" is an invitation for audience participation and the refrain "And that takes care of that" gives the story the pacing of a fairytale. Well done, well done!

[JoAnna Studer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama squirrel is intent on protecting her babies from predators such as people, kites, and bears. When my husband first read the part where Mama squirrel scolds, " CHOOK CHOOK CHOOK," our eight-month-old son giggled and giggled. This is a perfect story time book.

[Tess Upchurch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama squirrel has perfected a method for keeping her babies safe. She shoos away any sign of danger with some especially stern “chook chook chook(s).” She effectively protects her children from kites, pruners, and other intruders but meets her match when a bear comes to town.

This book was a quick and fun read. The plot was interesting, and I liked that the mama squirrel ended up calling on friends and using teamwork to shoo the bear away. This is a great way to show the power of teamwork to young readers. Although I liked the book I thought that the illustrations weren’t all too great. They got the job done but there was nothing particularly interesting about them. I wish that there had been more detail or even color in the illustrations. This book although not very well rounded would make a fun addition to my future classroom library.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So my youngest loves squirrels so much. Of course squirrels tend to love my yard and my daughter loves to try to bring them into the house. So I had to find some fun squirrel loving books that my daughter would enjoy. This book is so cute where it talks about a mama squirrel protecting her babies. The illustrations are adorable and really well down. Cassie really enjoyed trying to mimic the mama Squirrel in the books about all the dangers of the big world. I highly recommend checking out this cute book.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever protective of her babies, Ol' Mama Squirrel ensures that everyone keeps a distance from her tree. With her vigilante watch, and verbal warnings of chook , ckook, chook, she keeps a watchful eye on all who comes near the tree. A serious threat comes too close, and Ol' Mama Squirrel summons all the other mama squirrels and removes the threat. The city elders awards her with a plaque to show her their gratitude. It hangs on her tree, but beware of your approach when you try to view it.

[Kinnley Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! A mother's love knows no bounds, especially when it comes to squirrels living in a public park tree. I love the idea that all moms will brawl with anything or anyone that comes in the way of their little ones. "Chook chook chook" is the noise that the Mama squirrel makes as she threatens any opponent that tests her, even if it is an inanimate object like a kite. A great family book for guardians reading to their little ones.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids liked this one with a fierce Mama Squirrel protecting her babies. Spoiler alert: beware, big bear, Ol' Mama Squirrel has many friends!

We talked about how to meet challenges.

Stein's books are usually hits with our bunch. Interrupting Chicken and especially Dinosaur Kisses are favourites with them.

[Spencer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it’s a little different than what David Ezra Stein usually writes like and the illustrations are a little more futuristic looking. I love how the mamma is so dedicated to keeping her babies safe and the illustrations show her intensity throughout the book. This book is animal fantasy and in the 1st-4th grade range

[Beanling's Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this to a group of preschoolers, and was surprised by its contents. Mama squirrel is afraid something is coming to kill her babies. She throws things & screams at the other creatures. It was not a very appropriate book for preschool & younger.

Older kids that can understand nature & the circle of life — this may be okay.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, funny story about a fierce mama squirrel who defends her babies from various predators. It's a good read-aloud for story time if you are good at making squirrel noises. The only thing in it that gives me pause is having the kids think about all the things that might actually eat a squirrel, which with very young children might not be ready to ponder death just yet.

[Keisha]

Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein is a sweet and funny story about a mother squirrel caring for her little ones. It is simple but heartwarming, and playful and full of love. Kids will enjoy the humor and the adorable illustrations, and it’s a story that makes you smile. ( My kids loved this book.)

[Emily Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read-aloud book. I think this would be enjoyable to several different age groups; my son enjoyed it because of the many opportunities for sound effects, but I think older kids would enjoy the story itself.

[Shawn L’s Book Notes & Quotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Chook, chook, chook" I can totally relate to this over protective momma squirrel protecting her young :D
This was a cute book and it has piqued my interest in reading more of David Ezra Stein's books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fear of mama squirrel's scolding makes everyone act right. Even a big old bear and all the townsfolk. Cute story, cute illustrations. But does the sound a squirrel makes really translate into "chook"? I always thought it was more of a "tisk".

[Sarah Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a little long for preschool storytime, but I have made it work before. Ol' Mama Squirrel protects her babies for dogs, owls, etc. and even a bear. Very cute and funny. Would be good for K-3 read-aloud.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

more for preschoolers, the squirrel mama gets pretty territorial with the animals who come to try to kick them out out their home in the tree. she wants to see the one dead... might be too violent for storytime but i thought it was cute. a mama protects its young.

[Giselle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite squirrel books and I use it almost every year for storytime in the fall. It is fun to read the mama "in character" and kids love when the bear gets pummeled with nuts. I think it works very well as a read aloud and older kids will enjoy reading it for themselves.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny, and is fun to read during storytime because all the kids can participate in the chook, chook, chook! For whatever reason, it didn't seem to be a super big hit, but it was a fun read and I'd use it again.

[Tania Henriques · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely hilarious! It goes through a story about a mama squirrel that is protecting her babies, but to do so she must yell at the other animals. This adds in a good laugh for adults and kids!

[Henry Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “chook, chook, chook,” in this book had me rolling around laughing. Maybe I would be brave enough to take on one mama squirrel, but definitely not 100. I’ll have to continue admiring cute little baby squirrels from afar.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children thought this book was hilarious. Sad to say, they can relate to having an overprotective mama, I think. A bit hit at the Shelton house.

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud fun story with a warning to beware of Mamma animals with babies.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so funny and would be excellent for preschool storytime.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHOOK CHOOK CHOOK!