Squirrel-ish

by Bambi Edlund

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

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2024

Reviews

[Karen Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story. It’s difficult to be a rat and squirrels seem to have it so easy, they’re so loved but you know there’s a reason we are who we are and sometimes it’s best to stay true to ourselves. This book is simple, cute, funny and has wonderful illustrations. Kids will enjoy it.

Thank you Owl Kids and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Tasha Mutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, funny, and light read.

This follows a rat who thinks that squirrels have it so much easier than rats do despite their similarities only to realize he may be better off as a rat.

The illustrations were colorful, fit well with the content, and really added to the story-line. My littles (2 and 5) were giggling at the different tails that the rat was trying to make.

The content was entertaining and kept my littles engaged. It was easy for them to understand and they really enjoyed the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Bambi Edlund, and Owlkids books for allowing my family to review.

[Heather]

Rat thinks squirrels have it easy. All they do is scamper across the park and get free peanuts. When Rat tries to scamper across the park everyone screams in fright. Rat decides he just needs to be a little more squirrel-ish. He pins back his big ears with paperclips and makes several attempts to make a bushy squirrel tail, including one with spaghetti noodles that has an epic fail when it rains, but to no avail. When a shopkeeper comes after him with a broom, Rat realizes the broom will make a perfect bushy squirrel tail. Sure enough, with his new squirrel tail he quickly scores a free peanut. Unfortunately, he also discovers why squirrels do so much scampering, when all the dogs see a new squirrel to chase. Maybe rats don’t have it so hard after all. Young readers will laugh out loud at this story about envy and learning to love oneself. Edlund’s digitally rendered cartoonish illustrations capture the exaggerated silliness of the story. Young readers and listeners will have fun observing all the hilarious ways Rat tries to make himself a bushy tail, from cotton balls to cut up newsprint, to an inexplicable box of strawberry licorice vines. This is a fun addition to storytimes about identity and will be an oft repeated request for bedtime read alouds.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely perfect! The drawings had a lot of detail in the pictures, lots of page variety, a clear and funny story. A perfect example of this is the very last page. It made me chuckle out loud and kids will love it! As for the coloring, I liked that it was soft, but I think that to match the tone of the story a bit better the colors could have been a little bit brighter (like the cover).
I think that, even though it's not really apparent, there are two little messages here. The first one is to be resourceful and be a problem-solver. The rat's different ideas to become more "squirrel-ish" were really clever and it will definitely encourage kids to be creative, too. The second message is to be happy with the skin you're in. This is demonstrated by the ending.
I know for a fact that kids will be so invested in this book when it comes out, and it will be a true winner. It will soon become a favorite and kids will want to read it over and over again. That's one of the other great things about this book: it has "favorite material", meaning that it has the potential to be read again without it being boring or anticlimactic the second, third, fourth time around.
Bravo!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Squirrel-ish is a fun illustrated children's book in free verse written and illustrated by Bambi Edlund. Due out 17th Sept 2024 from Owlkids Books, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a wonderfully illustrated sweet story about accepting ourselves for who we are and not comparing ourselves to others (whose lives might seem easier and better but who have their own challenges we might not see). There are good takeaways for all ages, though it's aimed at 4-7 year olds (Lexile AD420L).

The illustrations are funny and quirky with lots of little details that add to the read.
It's a lovely book and is appropriate for all ages. It would make a nice gift for any youngster, a good library or classroom book, and a superlative read-to-me book.

Five stars. Funny and positive.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rat wants to be liked as much as the squirrels in the park. People scream and run away when they see him, but when they see squirrels, they’re given peanuts. The rat figures out that it’s the squirrel’s fluffy tail that makes them more likeable so he tries to give himself a bigger tail. However, he will find out that not everyone loves the squirrels.

This is such a cute picture book! I’m scared of rats, but not squirrels, and I do think it has to do with their tails. The fluffy squirrel tails make them more appealing and friendly looking. However, this story teaches that even though squirrels are more well liked by people, other animals don’t like them. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Squirrel-ish is a cute picture book!

Thank you Owlkids for providing a digital copy of this book!

[Debra Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirrel-ish
Bambi Edlund
This is a delightful book about a rat that thinks he is a squirrel. The illustrations are beautifully done and complement the text. They are filled with even small details. This is a book written for children between 18 months and 7. Parents will want to read this book to their children, and they can all laugh together at the rat’s antics.
This book is not only fun, it also has a bit of a lesson. Learn to be a problem solver and be resourceful. You might not always have what you need but you can usually come up with something you can use. Always remember to be true to yourself. You are who you are! You do not have to pretend to be someone else. Always be happy with who and what you are.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rat envies the peanuts and adoration squirrels get at a park so it sets off on a quest to become more squirrel-ish. But do squirrels really have it as easy as the rat thinks?

A humorous tale about the grass being greener on the other side and ending up more satisfied with the status quo. The rat is an entertaining and resourceful character to follow around. I love the moment when it realizes maybe squirrels don't have it so great. It is so true. Hand this to kids who love funny animal stories, or if you want to talk with them about wishing you were someone else and being satisfied with who they are.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Readers meet a rat who thinks squirrels have a much easier life. So, they try to become more like a squirrel. We watch as this rat tries various methods to look like a squirrel but... Finally, they create a tail that works and then discover squirrels may not have it as easy as the rat thinks. I love the facial expressions as the story unfolds. Every time they yell "Rat," the variety of reactions will make readers laugh. I hope the ending turns into another book. A nice reminder that others' lives are not as easy as they seem.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, it's tough out there for a rat. People scream when the see him, and try to hit him with brooms. Squirrels, on the other hand . . . people think they're cute, and throw peanuts at them. Here's one rat who's hip to the scene, and he's looking to become a squirrel. With one clever disguise, he'll be adored by all, and swimming in peanuts. What a shock when he realizes that, yep, even squirrels have their problems.

This is VERY cute, and VERY funny, and I'm sure kids are gonna love it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids for sharing.

[Miss C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and silly book about a rat who thinks squirrels have it all and tries to become one too. I think kids would love this, especially if they enjoyed “Those Darn Squirrels.”
This would also be a great book get in classrooms and school libraries and could be used to introduce comparing and contrasting animals or simply appreciating yourself for who you are because others might not have it all like you think. Very cute, and definitely a fun read!

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real short, quite easy book, with simple drawings using a soft color scheme.......all put together & works probably for young kids. I'm sure they could easily follow along with the story, & relate to it..... Little kids would probably like it! Yes.....I'd definitely read it to/ share it with, a little one!
I received an e-ARC of the book from publisher Owlkids Books via NetGalley, in order to read it & provide a fair & honest review.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
This is a great little story for kids to show them that not everyone is perfect. The rat thinks the squirrel has it so easy until he figures out a disguise and finds out that the squirrel's life is not always perfect. Really cute easy to read story with great illustrations.

[Jacque Stengel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cleverly disguised as a lesson in rat format. What happens when you don't feel accepted as who you are and think that others have it better? This book had me laughing out loud so I know the children will have a good time RAT!

The artwork is also amazing. I really enjoyed this book.

[Becky Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirrel-ish by Bambi Edlund is a well illustrated story about a rat who thinks squirrels have the easy life with their fluffly tails and tries to pass himself off as one of them with humorous results. I think any child would enjoy this book and any adult having to read it multiple times would too.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was quite a fun book - funny and also lending itself to some creative thinking. Our rat friend realizes that squirrels are much more popular than rats, although they really aren't that different. What can the rat change in order to be more popular. After some trial and error, a solution is found, but it still isn't all sunshine and roses.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids loved this book! So funny and cute! Perfect story time story with a life lesson and lots of crafting ideas for afterwards, how would you make a squirrel tail? Highly recommend, I'm still chuckling. I look forward to seeing what this author does next.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "the grass is always greener on the other side" book with a rat trying to look more squirrel-ish. The inventive, persistent rat finally finds a perfect tail, scores a peanut.... and some new friends.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to SLJ's Picture Book Palooza for a sneak peek

I got a good chuckle with this book. I mean, Rat isn't wrong. People like squirrels more than rats. But is it truly better to be a rat?? Not really because something likes to chase squirrels

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of my new favorites! It made me laugh out loud. It would be fantastic for a language arts or math class on comparison and contrast. I see a giant Venn diagram about rats and squirrels...

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rat longs to be a squirrel because humans are not scared of them and even get free peanuts from those humans. It turns out there is one downside to being a squirrel, so it might not be so bad staying as you are. Could lend itself to a craft to make your own squirrel tail.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short text, funny pictures, funny concept.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about the grass being greener on the other side...or is it?

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughter will ensue

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, clever premise with a funny and satisfying ending. And a good read-aloud! This book is "just right" in many ways.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it ! Super cute and funny. You could really be over the top dramatic with it to make it more fun! RATS!!!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved reading this. It was too funny!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny book with a nice underlying message to be who you are.

[Karen Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

good school age storytime

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story about a rat who thinks squirrels have it easy!