Squirrel Wars

by Jane Finch, Frank Thomas (Illustrator)

Care about the environment? Then your children should read this. The red squirrel is in danger and Rowan is on a mission to save his family from the cruel grey squirrels. There's a daring rescue mission, lots of fun with Nuthead the rabbit, and some wise instructions from the Owl. Take a journey into the world of the squirrel and be amazed.

123 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2010

About the author

Member International Thriller Writers, Inc.

I started writing when I was sixteen after being runner-up in a national short story competition, although my first children's book was not published until 1998. After that I began to grow in confidence as a writer and teamed up with an illustrator and we produced some children's picture books. I then wrote some children's novels, and later wrote adult thrillers based on some of my experiences working in Family Law. My last book was published in November 2015 and fulfilled a long-held ambition to write a Christmas fairytale. The book is Twelve Days to Save Christmas and published by Crimson Cloak Publishing. I have two other books with a publisher, but other the rest are self-published and I enjoy having control over my own books. To date I have seventeen published books, and am working on the next.

Reviews

[Patricia Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who strongly opposes the grey squirrel cull in Britain, I must admit I did not have high hopes for this book judging by its title. It looked to be another piece of propaganda aimed at kids telling them how wonderful red squirrels are and how awful greys are in comparison. Even the first chapter or two seemed like Jane Yolen's Trash Mountain all over again with talks of "Grey Invaders" and the red protagonist's father having been killed by a savage grey. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it is in fact is an adorable story which addresses how wrong prejudices are. Rowan the red squirrel goes on a journey of discovery where he learns that most grey squirrels are friendly and their tyrannical leader's villainy has nothing to do with the shade of his coat. The scenes of Rowan's developing friendship with Fern the grey squirrel are so cute. I would definitely recommend this book to those who love animal fantasy.

[Sherry Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about a young red squirrel named Rowen. Thought to be too young to understand the brutal killing of his father by the "Grey Invaders", he learns first hand how one or two bullies can control a whole community and set them against another one just because of their color. Anxious to save his new friend, Fern--a grey squirrel--from the clutches of the Grey Invaders and their cruel leader, he and his fellow Reds launch a plan that they hope will save them all.

This is a perfect book for ages 7 to 11, or for a grandparent to share with a grandchild. The story is not only engaging, but has a message for all of us today who are trying to end bullying.