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Squirrel: How a Backyard Forager Shapes Our World
Squirrels are a common sight, seemingly everywhere in wild and urban nature. Their chattering antics in city parks delight us while their raids on our backyard gardens and birdfeeders never fail to exasperate. But squirrels are more than amusing backyard entertainers, and few of us know much about them or fully appreciate their role in keeping the environment healthy. As stress on the natural world intensifies, should we be paying more attention to the plight of squirrels?
In Squirrel, Nancy Castaldo shines new light on this familiar backyard mammal, exploring their staggering diversity (they’re found on all continents but Antarctica) and the many surprising ways they shape our world, our communities, and our cultures. Each chapter explores an aspect of squirrels and their close and sometimes fraught association with their importance to myriad ecosystems through sophisticated food-caching strategies; their introduction to nineteenth-century urban parks as adorable ambassadors for nature; their complicated global status as both invasive and endangered; their role as celebrated cultural icons and social media memes; and ultimately, why we must prevent population declines and protect their well-being while we can. Like other wildlife species, squirrels are increasingly stressed by climate change, and their speculative fate may foreshadow our own. The book includes a detailed bibliography, an exhaustive list of squirrel species and their status, and tips for coexisting peaceably with squirrels in our yards and neighborhoods. Chapters are introduced by exquisitely drawn historical illustrations.
In Squirrel, Nancy Castaldo shines new light on this familiar backyard mammal, exploring their staggering diversity (they’re found on all continents but Antarctica) and the many surprising ways they shape our world, our communities, and our cultures. Each chapter explores an aspect of squirrels and their close and sometimes fraught association with their importance to myriad ecosystems through sophisticated food-caching strategies; their introduction to nineteenth-century urban parks as adorable ambassadors for nature; their complicated global status as both invasive and endangered; their role as celebrated cultural icons and social media memes; and ultimately, why we must prevent population declines and protect their well-being while we can. Like other wildlife species, squirrels are increasingly stressed by climate change, and their speculative fate may foreshadow our own. The book includes a detailed bibliography, an exhaustive list of squirrel species and their status, and tips for coexisting peaceably with squirrels in our yards and neighborhoods. Chapters are introduced by exquisitely drawn historical illustrations.
- GenresNonfiction
264 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2025
9 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Nancy F. Castaldo
30 books88 followersNancy Castaldo is an award winning author of children's books, a certified National Geographic educator, and photographer.
She loves writing books for curious readers that get them thinking about the world around them.
She loves writing books for curious readers that get them thinking about the world around them.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 3, 2025
As a nature lover, I had to have this book! Here are just a few of the amazing things I learned: squirrels are a keystone species, you really CAN coexist with them (bird feeder problems, anyone?) and, believe it or not, some squirrel species are actually endangered. Really? Really.
After reading this book, I have a new appreciation for these little rodents, even though they DO plant zillions of black walnut trees in my yard. (Of course, they plant them where I do NOT want them, lol.)
After reading this book, I have a new appreciation for these little rodents, even though they DO plant zillions of black walnut trees in my yard. (Of course, they plant them where I do NOT want them, lol.)
December 4, 2025
What a fantastic book! I learned a huge amount about these intriguing animals and their many interactions with the human world. The captivating storytelling approach takes us around the world, visiting scientists and habitats and solving mysteries. Now I know the reasons behind the great squirrel migration of 1968! An engaging and fascinating read - highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews