The Squirrelly Nut Gig

by J.M. Kessler, Sang Oh (Illustrations)

Can a mistake be a success? Can a squirrel be the bee's knees? Can an unlikely appearance at a madcap jazz joint become the cat's meow? 

Show business isn't all it's cracked up to be. When Davey Pinetail makes an embarrassing mistake at the school concert, and in front of the squirrel of his dreams, he wants nothing more to do with music or singing. Unfortunately, this is the year his parents are taking Davey and his sister to the Squirrelly Nut Gig, an annual jazz festival his parents have been enjoying for years. Unable to wriggle out of it, Davey finds himself in the middle of a nutty jazz scene. He's hip to the groove until he winds up in the spotlight once again! Will he repeat his embarrassing mistake, or can he find a way to turn it on its tail?

A silly, lively romp with colorful characters, this fun, fast read will delight kids of all ages. In a nutshell, The Squirrelly Nut Gig is the cat's pajamas! 
(Includes glossary of jazz-age terminology.)

129 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2014

About the author

J. M. Kessler is the author of the children's book The Squirrelly Nut Gig, as well as short stories and plays. She has a BA in theatre, and is a Whovian, classic film fan, knitter, and nature lover. Member SCBWI. Instagram @jmkesslerwriter, Hardcover @jmkesslerReads.

Reviews

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began writing this book, I thought it was going to be a picture book. Nineteen hand-written pages later, I realized a bigger story was unfolding, and I was brave enough to go on the journey. I am so glad I did! I love this story, and more to the point, I still love it! I love inhabiting the delightfully quirky world of the Pinetails, with pine-needlepoint, Grandpa Hickory's stories (Uncle Ned's House is based on a true event), and the madcap Nut Gig. A particularly favorite day of writing was the day I wrote the songs. I was living in California at the time and had the pleasure of sitting pool-side one afternoon while I wrote the lyrics at an umbrella-covered table. That was the berries, and how!
I still enjoy the antics of squirrels, watching them conquering the anti-squirrel bird feeder (as if there is such a thing!), or leaping off our garage roof onto a tree that is just a wee bit further away than they thought.
This is a peachy-keen read for squirrel watchers, kids, or kids at heart!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story! I can easily imagine our squirrels being just like the ones in the story! I think 3rd grade to maybe 6th grade will enjoy it! Short, fun and easy summer read! I think the only thing that could have made the story even more enjoyable, would have been some illustrations. This story just begs for a few! But the story was a lot of fun and one I am sure older kids will relate to quite easily! I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth Pattenaude · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable story about discovering an unexpected talent. I can easily picture the squirrels in our yard doing this. In fact, now that I think about it the squirrels weren't barking at us, they were SCATTING!!!! That's the bee's knees!!!