Squirrel and Bird

by Laura Baker, Stacey Thomas (illustrator)

Squirrel and Bird are best friends, but they're very different. Squirrel is LOUD. Bird is quiet. Squirrel is confident. Bird is shy. And that’s all there is to know about them...or is it?

This eye-opening book for children ages 3-7 celebrates the wonderful variety of traits that make us who we are.

Squirrel and Bird are the best of friends, but they're very different. Squirrel is loud, busy, and the life of the party. Bird is quiet and shy--but is that all there is to them? This eye-opening, thought-provoking story encourages us to embrace the wonderful variety of traits that makes us who we are, and challenge the reductive labels others may place upon us.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Birds, Childrens, Storytime, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Patricia Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations.

[Heather Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirrel and Bird was a delightful little children's book. I have such a soft spot for picture books, and this one reawakened the dreams that I have of doing my own someday.

One interesting thing about this book is that the colors you see on the cover are the only ones used throughout the course of the book. While you might think that this would make it bland, it is truly anything but that.

I found the interaction between the narrator and the characters refreshing and (without any spoilers) I must say that I love little Bird as a character.

I will honestly probably be buying a copy of this for myself for future inspiration, as well as recommending it to our library for the children of our community to enjoy.

Please note I received an advance copy of this title from Edelweiss. My review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small bird speaks out against preconceived notions about her personality in this gorgeous and generously sized book. Baker’s story features two voices: a slightly stuffy know-it-all narrator, whose comments appear in a serif font, and a perky gray and brown sparrow, whose responses appear in tidy cursive. The narrator compares and contrasts Bird with her best friend Squirrel as they prepare for a forest concert. Bird, the voice intones, is quiet, nervous, and prefers to sit around and do nothing while Squirrel is busy and loud. Meanwhile, Bird disagrees with most of the text and sharp readers will notice that it’s actually Squirrel who has stage fright! Stacey Thomas’s elegant art work features realistic but fanciful animals and a disciplined color palette of gray, brown, and yellow with occasional pops of gold. Her mastery of picture book art is obvious; every page features clever and sophisticated shifts in perspective and construction. In one climactic scene, just before Bird’s final dispute with the narrator, we get to see the character swell in size over four consecutive vertical panels, Bird’s side-eye growing more and more pronounced and finally erupting in “ENOUGH!” in giant, hand-painted letters that completely fill a successive two-page spread. The busy artwork, which resembles watercolor but may be digital, feels textured and interesting but never overwhelming. With its large illustrations and contrasting voices, this would be an excellent read aloud and could lead to rich discussion about the value of speaking up for one’s self. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and I loved the use of just a few colors within the pages as I think that brought a special element to this story. I did think that the wording in this children’s book was a bit jumbled and it didn’t flow very well for me. I did like the message that the book was trying to convey and as I read it, I had to explain it to my grandchildren.

The book centers around Squirrel and Bird. The author tries to tell the reader that Squirrel is the busy, excited, and basically the extrovert of the two. The Bird on the other hand, is the quiet, calm, and introvert of the two.

Hosting a concert, these two best friends are getting ready for the forest friends to listen to them perform. Now, you would think Squirrel would hold center stage and Bird would be nervous and shy yet as the author is explaining how they are getting ready, Bird speaks up and starts to sing. He’s wonderful! And squirrel, he listens as his friend’s voice bellows throughout the sky. The author reflects on the moment when Bird and Squirrel decide that they can be however they want to be, one size does not fit all.

A great message in the book but I wasn’t fond of the text and how it was presented. It was too cumbersome. 3.5 stars

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey Baker's bright autumnal illustrations in every shade of amber and cornsilk lend a fall feel to this quirky friendship story. Told in two narrations, a third person narrative voice and the first person voice of Bird, contrasting descriptions of the two friends are challenged when busy noisy Squirrel is set to perform his mushroom-drum musical for the forest animals. Bird, described initially as quiet and even a 'sit and do nothing' ~~ Wait, that's too much.

As the musical event approaches the narrator's description counterpoints the illustrated expressions of the two friends. Until this point the story is adorable and delivers the message clearly. Then the story gets far too heavy-handed giving detailed descriptions of how the two friends from first Bird "We're not one thing all the time, you know." Then the author hits us over the head with "I might have been too hasty. So, what you're saying is...Bird is a LOT of things..." etc. etc. And then, to top it off, in case you didn't get the message, the narrator insists on ending with "So, should we start again..."

I give the illustrations a 5 and the storyline a 3 which settles at 4.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squirrel and Bird has the feel of a classic picture book - charmingly illustrated in shades of golden yellow, brown, and gray. Squirrel is repeatedly described as loud, busy, confident; while Bird is described as quiet, still, and uncertain. How wonderful that they can be best friends when they're so different from each other! But wait, astute readers will see that the book's pictures don't exactly align with the story being told. Bird, it turns out, is not always quiet and has plenty to say. Eventually Bird's frustration bursts forth and she demands to be seen as more than one thing. What begins as a story of opposites attracting becomes a reminder that individuals can never be defined by just one type of characteristic. A lovely reminder that all of us are complicated and we shouldn't judge others on the first impression they make. Purchasers should note that some of the text is presented in a cursive font which may prove difficult for young readers.

Recommended for readers in PreK-2.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Baker's "Squirrel and Bird" revolves around friendship and embracing differences. Through the unlikely bond between a squirrel and a bird, the story highlights how diverse perspectives can enrich our lives and foster understanding. It teaches young readers about acceptance and working together despite contrasting lifestyles. The squirrel is depicted as energetic and always busy, while the bird is quiet and reserved. These contrasting behaviors initially caused misunderstandings. The reader learns as the story progresses that bird disagrees with the initial description of itself. The bird reveals its true nature to everyone. The bird, contrary to its initial reserved appearance, is actually adventurous and curious. It loves singing. This energetic side of the bird adds an added dynamic to its friendship with the squirrel. This shows that even the quietest individuals can have a vibrant spirit beneath the surface.

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird and Squirrel are best friends but neither are all they first appear to be. From loving variety and embracing friendships to resisting labels and accepting differences, this book is winsome and dynamic, a read aloud from the point of view of a hilariously confused narrator that will have littles rolling around and cheering for the characters and each and every facet of their brilliant little personalities. Set in a delightfully limited palette with colors fit for autumn, illustrations sketchy and energetic and emotive and gentle and quite simply a lot of wonderful things, just like the stars of the story. We could all use a lighthearted reminder that differences are beautiful, well-rounded characters are to be admired, and that ultimately being whoever we want to be is the best we that we can all be.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never trust an intrusive narrator in a picture book. In this one, which features panels with lots of yellows and grays, readers are informed that Squirrel and Bird, two best friends, couldn't be more different. As they prepare for a concert, the narrator describes their attributes, and Bird becomes increasingly annoyed and frustrated by how dismissive the narrator is being about their characteristics, especially his. The whole message here is that there's more than one trait for each of us and that sometimes, depending on the situation, we are loud or quiet, confident or shy but usually not just one trait or one box in which to be placed. That's such a great message for everyone, reminding readers to resist assigning one trait to anyone and to look a little closer at those around them.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for thia book, especially after seeing the illustrations. But it honestly was a disappointment. The illustrations were very well done, but the storyline was not for me. I believe that the story was a good idea, but poorly executed. I would tecommend this book solely on the illustrations, and not the writing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4...

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star read. The narrator of this book is a character within the book as well. In a way it reminds me of the old Disney shorts. The narrator let us know that squirrel is loud and busy and active, while bird is not. Eventually, Bird gets fed up with how the narrator describes them and it’s like hey we’re not all one thing all the time. “Stop characterizing me and let us characterize ourselves”. This story is lovely. I love the artwork. It reminds me of my grandmother‘s quilts, at least from the cover and the end pages, but then the inside illustrations go so perfect with the action one wants to read this book repeatedly. This will be one that’s added to my storytime Staples.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirrel and Bird are two very different best friends. Squirrel is always loud, busy, and confident whereas Bird is always quiet, calm, and shy...or are they?

This is an adorably funny look at how best friends can seemingly be total opposites, and how we're never truly defined by just one thing about us. The illustrations are adorable (and Bird's annoyed expressions had me cracking up!) Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous cover with gilt leaf illustrations and one squirrel and one bird, who are friends and are quite different, except in the fact that they don't want others to tell them who they are or what they are like. Sometimes books like this drive me nuts: they are simple for preschool age, but cover emotional concepts that concern older kids. That said, it's still a cutesy book with a woodsy friendship theme and "a message": just be you. And if you want to sing, set your shyness aside (like Bird) and Sing!

Themes: squirrels, birds, nature
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirrel and Bird by @laurabakerbooks & @staceythomasmakes is a lovely, needed, thought-provoking, and fun read! This dynamic duo is adorable. The text is two different fonts to highlight the narrorator's story and the very different perspective of bird. I love how clever this book is about highlighting the danger of hasty assumptions and categorizing people in an all or nothing way. It is beautifully written and a very fun story!

[Emma Brackett]

This is a great counter piece to stories and lessons we tell kids about how you can only be 1 type of person. You can be loud OR quiet. You can be a people person OR solitary. But humans (and birds and squirrels) are more complicated than set groups of traits.

The dust jacket is also absolutely gorgeous.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations. What a sweet message about friendship and different parts of our personalities. Great for introverts and extroverts. I highly recommend this book for classrooms and school libraries.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice message that we can be multiple things, and sometimes seemingly contrasting things at the same time. And that is ok. The message is done in a way that a preschooler will get, and a great lesson to be yourself and be ok being quiet and excitable at the same time.

[Vonprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book. Its autumnal vibe makes it a perfect book to share with young children as the leaves begin to fall. There’s a longer review on my blog: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....

[Andi Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and delightful! Beautiful illustrations using a “grellow” limited palette. Plays with scale, lettering and light. Not too long, not too short, uncomplicated. A wonderfully sweet picture book!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, funny, and very sweet. An absolute gem

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about not encapsulating a person’s personality in a set of words because we can we more than just a few adjectives.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh. fine, I guess, but I won't go back to it.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun book about all the shades and variations within our personalities. I also love the message that quiet doesn't always equal shy.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book explaining we all are different but can still be friends.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice message, lovely illustrations

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is cute and the illustration are FANTASTIC!

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites...but not really. Really touches on the fact that individuals can't be type cast...and can have many opposing qualities at different times

[Cathy Mealey]

Gorgeous illustrations!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this one for story time! The illustrations are so great and autumnal. I love the tactile cover. Really cute.