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Sam Squirrel
The great-granddaughter of Mother Nature teams up with a squirrel to start the spring season in this first book in the charmingly whimsical chapter book series from bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Selfors.
Willow has agreed to house-sit while her grandmother, Mother Nature, is on vacation. Willow thinks it’s going to be as easy as watering a fern and feeding a cat, but when she arrives, she realizes her grandmother has left a long to-do list of difficult tasks like dusting the wings of a sleeping bat family, repairing the broken windows of a rabbit’s greenhouse, and ending winter.
Ending winter? In her eagerness to take a vacation, Mother Nature forgot to catch the unruly North Wind for its long nap. So, even though it’s the first day of spring, the entire land is covered in ice and snow. If the snow doesn’t melt, allowing the spring grass to grow, the critters of the Quiet Woods will surely go hungry.
With the help of Sam Squirrel and an elk prince named Errol, will Willow be able to catch the unruly North Wind to preserve the natural balance her grandmother entrusted her with?
Willow has agreed to house-sit while her grandmother, Mother Nature, is on vacation. Willow thinks it’s going to be as easy as watering a fern and feeding a cat, but when she arrives, she realizes her grandmother has left a long to-do list of difficult tasks like dusting the wings of a sleeping bat family, repairing the broken windows of a rabbit’s greenhouse, and ending winter.
Ending winter? In her eagerness to take a vacation, Mother Nature forgot to catch the unruly North Wind for its long nap. So, even though it’s the first day of spring, the entire land is covered in ice and snow. If the snow doesn’t melt, allowing the spring grass to grow, the critters of the Quiet Woods will surely go hungry.
With the help of Sam Squirrel and an elk prince named Errol, will Willow be able to catch the unruly North Wind to preserve the natural balance her grandmother entrusted her with?
96 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
7 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Selfors
67 books844 followersSuzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
Please visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com to learn more about her books.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
Please visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com to learn more about her books.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 13, 2025
This was a solid read! My daughter and I read this together and while it started off interesting, I think she lost interest as the story went on. It’s definitely a solid recommendation for younger readers who like fantasy books with talking animals. Great for ages 6-9.
February 26, 2025
Adventure drives every moment forward, while weaving a snowy world full of delightful characters and many surprises.
Sam loves to make lists, which isn't a very squirrely thing to do (according to his father), but Sam just isn't into gathering and scurrying like the rest of his family. He does enjoy meeting Mother Nature every Spring, but this year, she doesn't arrive. The animals in the forest are running out of food, and so many other things can't happen until Spring arrives. Since Same is so good at lists, he's chosen to head out with the elk prince to try to find Mother Nature and save the forest.
Every page of this book grabs as Sam finds himself on a journey and mission far bigger than a little squirrel like him usually experiences. He starts out as a simple, young squirrel, who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of his family. They still love him...so this one is not about bullying (yay!). Instead, this is a magical adventure, which packs imagination, wonderful characters, tense moments, and hope. Although it's meant for those readers, who still need to practice their skills a little before heading into thicker novels, it's still a tale which draws in and leads the reader on a fantastic journey.
The author weaves in just enough description to add a playful touch to the world, gives the characters personality, and slides in mystery and tension, which fits nicely to the intended age group. There is danger and a sense of urgency, and yet, it stays fine for even more sensitive readers.
The word choice and sentence length is great for those readers, who know their words but still could use more time before moving on. The illustrations add fun and atmosphere, and let the characters come to life. Plus, there are some messages about being proud of your own, unique abilities as well as persistence and determination.
It's a fun read, and I'm looking forward to what adventures are still to come.
Sam loves to make lists, which isn't a very squirrely thing to do (according to his father), but Sam just isn't into gathering and scurrying like the rest of his family. He does enjoy meeting Mother Nature every Spring, but this year, she doesn't arrive. The animals in the forest are running out of food, and so many other things can't happen until Spring arrives. Since Same is so good at lists, he's chosen to head out with the elk prince to try to find Mother Nature and save the forest.
Every page of this book grabs as Sam finds himself on a journey and mission far bigger than a little squirrel like him usually experiences. He starts out as a simple, young squirrel, who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of his family. They still love him...so this one is not about bullying (yay!). Instead, this is a magical adventure, which packs imagination, wonderful characters, tense moments, and hope. Although it's meant for those readers, who still need to practice their skills a little before heading into thicker novels, it's still a tale which draws in and leads the reader on a fantastic journey.
The author weaves in just enough description to add a playful touch to the world, gives the characters personality, and slides in mystery and tension, which fits nicely to the intended age group. There is danger and a sense of urgency, and yet, it stays fine for even more sensitive readers.
The word choice and sentence length is great for those readers, who know their words but still could use more time before moving on. The illustrations add fun and atmosphere, and let the characters come to life. Plus, there are some messages about being proud of your own, unique abilities as well as persistence and determination.
It's a fun read, and I'm looking forward to what adventures are still to come.
February 25, 2025
Sam Squirrel by Suzanne Selfors is the first book in a new series called Willow's Woods. Sam is part of a family that includes a mother, father, and brother. Sam is good at making lists but not so good at foraging, which makes him feel bad sometimes. When the First Day of Spring comes and Winter fails to end, the forest animals send Sam with a list of concerns to Mother Nature. Prince Errol of the Elks gives Sam a ride. Instead of finding Mother Nature, Sam meets Willow, Mother Nature's granddaughter. Mother Nature has taken off on a cruise and asked Willow to house sit for her. It seems that Willow's grandma took off in a hurry, forgetting to put the cold North Wind away for a long nap. Sam and Willow must work together to catch the North Wind so that winter can end and spring can begin. This first book is a charming start to a new series that covers friendship, family, community, and nature while spinning a fun tale for newly independent readers.
May 5, 2025
Sam Squirrel meets Mother Nature in his first spring. She told him of her To-Do Lists and explained what they are for. Ever since Sam was fascinated about making his own lists. And on the first day of this spring, he couldn't wait to show them to Mother Nature. However, Mother Nature did not appear, and more importantly, spring did not arrive.
Sam was picked to accompany the elk on their quest to find Mother Nature.
An enjoyable and simple tale about nature, family, and friendship. Even though this story is meant for young readers (6–9), each page is filled with gripping moments that have my daughter and me wanting to read more.
Sam was picked to accompany the elk on their quest to find Mother Nature.
An enjoyable and simple tale about nature, family, and friendship. Even though this story is meant for young readers (6–9), each page is filled with gripping moments that have my daughter and me wanting to read more.
July 4, 2025
This is a super cute and fast-paced read. I adored the characters and the setting. Additionally, the plot is creative and innovative. I've already started reading book #2! If you love animals, fantasy, and quick reads, look into this series.
January 23, 2025
A cute book for grades 1-3 about mother nature who goes on vacation forgetting to change winter to spring.
June 17, 2025
perfect for 6-9 year-olds! cute and quick
August 18, 2025
Wow this was soooo great! I actually want to read it out loud to Luke and Sarah because it was just such a good book. Love the world - sweet animals ("critters"!) , Mother Nature, problems that can be solved by ingenuity and one's own strength... just really great. Love it, and I'll actually read #2.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews