Bird & Squirrel On the Edge!: A Graphic Novel

Bird & Squirrel #3

by James Burks

Bird and Squirrel are almost home, but the adventure isn't over yet!

Bird and Squirrel are almost home. All that's left for them to do is cross the Great Mountains. But before they can, the duo stops to chase off wolves hunting a baby bear and in the process Bird gets a knock on the noggin that gives him amnesia. Now Squirrel has to set aside his fears and keep both Bird and the bear cub safe as they journey on foot over the mountains. But with a pack of hungry wolves on their tail, can Squirrel step up and be the leader they need to keep them all alive?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Friendship, Fiction

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

I've worked as an artist in the animation industry for companies like Disney, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon. Projects I've worked on include the Emperor's New Groove, Atlantis, Treasure Planet, Home on the Range, Space Jam, the Iron Giant and the television shows, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Ni-hao Kai-lan, the Dinosaur Train and most recently on Cartoon Network's PowerPuff Girls.

I also write and illustrate my own books including the Graphix graphic novel series Bird and Squirrel, and Agent 9.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird & Squirrel find themselves with a new travel companion in this third book in the series. They stop to help a baby bear and save him from a pack of wolves. When Squirrel tries to help pelt the wolves with pine cones to chase them away he accidentally hits bird. A victim of friendly fire, Bird is down for the count. Baby Bear helps carry Bird and they continue the last leg of their journey over the mountains. Will Bird ever wake up? Have they seen the last of those wolves? What is Bird does wake up and does not remember who he is? Where is Mama Bear? Do not fear, all of these questions and more will be answered by the end of the book. It is great fun to travel with Bird & Squirrel and we can all learn from their friendship.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

You always wonder how that next book in a series is gong to compare to the other books.
James Burks... Bird and Squirrel..... never fail.
When you have a book that talks about the "crud in your crevices", you know you're going to laugh!

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

(Minus the few panels with a spider)

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why, but I have a great fondness for these books. They are good, clean, old fashioned, slapstick fun. Glad to see Burks writing a tale more similar to the original story. Was a little worried after number 2...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure entertainment

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel was simply adorable! When I picked it up I didn’t know what to expect other than a cute friendship between a bird and a squirrel, and it ended up being quite endearing.

Throughout this unique story we follow a bird who has no fear and a squirrel who is afraid of his own shadow. The pair ends up in a brawl with a pack of wolves, bees, and spiders. They almost drown, come close to being trapped in a cave and damn near fall off a cliff. They even find a way to reason with a big mama grizzly bear. When Bird gets hit in the head with a pinecone and suffers from amnesia, roles become reversed and Squirrel must come to the rescue to save both of their lives, but is he up to the task? My favorite scene is when the bear’s tummy is grumbling.

I can’t wait to read the other adventures of Bird & Squirrel.

4 stars!

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh dear! I only have one copy and already about five students want to be the first to check it out! Bird & Squirrel On the Edge is the third of James Burks graphic novel series featuring the unlikely pairing of a bird and squirrel who have become best friends. In this installment they are almost home when they spy a bear cub surrounded by a pack of vicious wolves. Knowing they have to help the bear they pelt the wolves with pinecones and scare them away...for now. When one hits bird, though, he is knocked unconscious and it's up to squirrel to get bird and the baby cub who has friended him, to safety. When bird awakes he thinks everything will be back to normal and they can go home, but bird does not know who he is, and then there are those wolves....

[Tay Tay (taylor´s version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really sweet, funny graphic novel that all ages would enjoy. It made me laugh a lot and was just one of those books that you read all in one go. It is so nostolgic because I used to take it out of my local library every few weeks when I was a small kid.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of the Bird & Squirrel books! Hope there is more to come!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. The illustrations are fun

[Tiffany]

hilarious! bright, colorful pictures, nice story, and super fun to read aloud.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read with my 5 year old! It was fun seeing scaredy Squirrel get out of his comfort zone and be the hero. Probably our favorite in this series so far!

[Shannon Au · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still enjoying Bird and Squirrel’s adventures.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really funny.

[Daniel Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is awesome and funny

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really funny because Bird got knocked out twice.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this series!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud for my grandchildren.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
Bird and Squirrel make a new friend as they explore a mountain. Baby Bear is lost and in danger from wolves. The friends save him and set off for home. Bird ends up with amnesia and loses his bravery. Squirrel steps up to take care of everyone and Baby Bear finds his true roar.

[Marie B Lupinek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids LOVE it

By far my kids favorite books. Teaches good morales, but puts adventure and character building first. It feels like some of my favorite cartoons.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was killed me - I loved how Bird lost his memory and basically he and Squirrel had to switch roles. My kids (ages 5 & 8) thought it was pretty hilarious too.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a 4th grader. Silly fun as scaredy squirrel has to take over the brave duties when he accidentally hits risk-loving bird on the head while saving a bear cub from some nasty wolves. You could make the argument that scaredy squirrel is even braver, because he has to overcome a lot of fear to do brave things. He does become more sanguine about the quantity of dust he will have to overcome when they finally make it back home, though.

[Lydia Erakare · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. This book has not received any awards.

2. This book is appropriate for 4th grade and up.

3. This graphic novel is the third installment of Bird & Squirrel. In this story they are almost home! All that is left for them to do is cross the Great Mountains. While helping a baby bear in distress Bird bumps his head and gets amnesia. It becomes Squirrel's job to step up as a leader and keep the duo safe as they finish their journey. With a pack of wolves on the rear this becomes a very difficult task.

4. I thought this graphic novel was very cute. It seems like something many of my summer students would enjoy. I love the combination of slapstick humor and important morals. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story and would use it in the future.

5. A) This graphic novel could be used to discuss the environment of "woods" there are many woodland animals, plants, and geographic features to talk about all found in the text. For example, on page 87 there is a geyser. Many children may have no idea what a geyser is!

B) A major theme in the story is how Bird and Squirrel look after the baby bear cub. Students could do a journal writing assignment on how they look after someone younger than them. It can be a younger sibling, little cousin, or even a younger student on the bus or playground.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a stroll through the woods, BFFs Bird and Squirrel happen upon a lost bear cub being threatened by wolves. To scare the wolves away, Bird and Squirrel throw pine cones at them. Squirrel accidentally hits Bird with one, knocking him out and causing amnesia. The usually timid Squirrel must now assume the role of leader, since the blow has changed Bird into a scaredy-cat. Squirrel uses all his wits and bravery as the three set out to try to find the cub’s parent. They face several obstacles, including the wolf pack again. But the friends prevail, the cub is reunited with his parent and Bird and Squirrel head for home, each with a new appreciation of the other. Fans of this graphic novel series will enjoy this outing as well. The rich and bold artwork captures the action of the tale, and the banter between Bird and Squirrel is ideal for reluctant readers. This tale of friendship and determination succeeds on all levels. It is a welcome addition to any graphic novel collection.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were so close to home, just over the mountain, when Bird spotted a baby bear in trouble and just had to go to the rescue.

Squirrel is tasked with throwing pine cones at the wolves that are threatening the baby bear, but when he misses and accidentally hits Bird, Bird doesn't remember who he is anymore.

With Baby Bear in tow, Squirrel must help navigate the mountain, help his friend remember who he is, and stay a step ahead of the wolves that are hunting them. Along the way, Squirrel has a lot of fun embracing some potentially scary things and his quick thinking saves the day.

I love this series. The pacing of the action, dialogue/characterization, and the storylines play out like children's television in the best way.

Can't wait for more Bird and Squirrel! Great fun for grades 3-5.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bird and Squirrel are great friends. They are on their way home but they still have to cross a mountain range. They run into a pack of wolves, Bird gets amnesia, they are adopted by a baby bear, and Squirrel has to step up as the brave one and make some tough decisions.

I love everything about this graphic novel: the characters, the illustrations, the plot, the text. Everything! Great addition to an elementary/middle school collection.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our favorite Bird & Squirrel adventure so far!! Love the role reversal for the characters and how that played out. I really enjoyed that Squirrel had to step out of his comfort zone and try things that were scary to him. And guess what? He found out sometimes that is a good thing. A great lesson for everyone. My son thought the bear addition with all the licking was hilarious. And of course we still love those illustrations Mr. Burks!!!

[Ashley Aolani Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Bird and Squirrel adventure yet!! This is where we get to see Squirrel take charge and he does an awesome job if I say so myself. Squirrel is so so funny, I can't get over it. I loved to see Bird in the anxious role this time. He was freaking hilarious too. My favorite part was the geyser scene. Brilliant!! The story keeps getting more creative and more exciting each time. I can't wait to read the next one.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Bird and Squirrel are on their way home when they get drawn into a fight against wolves to rescue a baby bear. When Bird gets conked on the head with an acorn, he becomes the scaredy cat and Squirrel has to be brave for the both of them... but hungry vindictive wolves are still lurking around. Can the dynamic duo escape trouble???

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bird and Squirrel are on their way home, when they make a slight detour to rescue a baby bear from wolves. In the rescue, Bird is hit on the head, leaving him with amnesia. Squirrel must rise to the occasion to get the trio safely home. Such a cute series!