Garbage Squirrel: A Picture Book About Friendship, Kindness, and Second Chances (Ages 4–8)

by Megan Deliberto, Tiemoko Sylla (Illustrator)

"The perfect addition to any classroom library for building SEL connections and sparking meaningful conversations about kindness and belonging." Erin Hablutzel Curriculum and Instruction Administrator Garbage Squirrel is a heartwarming picture book that helps children understand kindness, empathy, and second chances. Through an adventurous story filled with meaningful lessons, kids learn what it means to grow, forgive, and find belonging.

Everyone deserves a place to call home, even snack-stealing squirrels! Life at the zoo is no picnic for Gary, a scrappy squirrel who stirs up trouble wherever he goes. But when his wild ways bring him face-to-face with a giant polar bear and a little lizard, everything changes.

Can a bit of bravery and a second chance help Gary find a new home?

Perfect for kids who love animals, daring adventures, and feel-good endings, Garbage Squirrel is a story about empathy, resilience, and the magic of finding community in the unlikeliest places.

A perfect addition to SEL and classroom libraries, this story The importance of kindness and empathyHow to make things right after a mistakeThe value of friendship and forgivenessThat everyone deserves a second chanceIdeal for children ages 4–8, Garbage Squirrel supports social-emotional learning and encourages positive character traits through an engaging zoo adventure.

If you enjoy meaningful stories like The Bad Seed, The Cool Bean, or Giraffes Can’t Dance, you’ll love following Gary’s journey toward friendship and belonging.

Bring home Garbage Squirrel — a touching story about courage, compassion, and finding your place in the world.

Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2025

Reviews

[Dennis Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garbage Squirrel is a thoughtful and engaging children’s story filled with meaningful lessons about empathy, communication, and understanding others. At first, the squirrel comes across as a bully; mean, destructive, and willing to hurt others just to survive. But as the story unfolds, readers begin to understand that his harsh behavior was shaped by difficult circumstances and the environment around him.

What makes this book especially powerful is the way it teaches children that kindness and communication can completely change relationships. Instead of responding with more anger, the characters take time to understand one another and discover they have far more in common than they realized. Through empathy and cooperation, everyone benefits: the squirrel gains friendship, food, and a safe home, while the zoo animals finally find peace without fear of being bullied or harmed.

The story delivers these lessons naturally through an entertaining and well-crafted narrative, making the messages easy for young readers to absorb. Fans of No Place for a Lizard will especially appreciate seeing the continued growth of the duo introduced in that book. Their evolving friendship feels like a natural and rewarding progression from where their story first began.

Overall, this is a warm and meaningful read that encourages children to look beyond behavior, communicate openly, and recognize the value of compassion and common ground.

[Raye Pietruszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book highlights key social lessons through relatable characters and common childhood experiences. As young children are learning about sharing, kindness, and empathy, Gary the Squirrel is a perfect character to explore deeper and engage children in meaningful discussions that are short, sweet, and impactful.

Parents and teachers can use this book to help children identify actions that are kind versus unkind, feelings that arise from bullying behaviors, and solutions that repair relationships or help others in need.

I truly appreciate the author weaving in the importance of personal accountability throughout the storyline. Admitting mistakes is tough and often times adults miss the mark in modeling this behavior. Gary, the snack stealing Squirrel, and Gary’s new friends can be that gentle model.

[Rella B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple, engaging story that helps young readers understand the importance of owning up to mistakes, showing empathy, giving second chances, and helping others. The storyline is easy to follow and familiar, and the characters are relatable and charming. It’s especially perfect for zoo animal lovers or just about anyone who enjoys a feel-good story with gentle lessons. A heartwarming book that children will enjoy reading again and again.

[Dawn Feltrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun, easy-to-read story is paired with charming illustrations that invite children to keep reading. It also delivers a heartfelt message about standing up for friends in need.

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly and fun!