Better Together!

by Amy Robach, Andrew Shue, Lenny Wen (Illustrator)

From Good Morning America anchor Amy Robach and her husband, actor Andrew Shue comes a sweet tale about finding common ground and accepting and appreciating each others' differences.

When a big thunderstorm shakes their woodland home, the Squirrelly family must flee their nest for a hollow in an oak tree. To their surprise, the McMunk family had the exact same idea. This family of squirrels and a family of chipmunks must find ways to live together--which isn't always easy since they come from different backgrounds. But after some important lessons in compromise, the Squirrellys and the McMunks realize that life is better together as the McSquirrellys.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 2021

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent children's book authors create complex stories that can be understood and discussed at various levels. Excellent books hold the interest of child and parent alike and can be read multiple times. While this book is based on an excellent idea, its execution assumes children are simple creatures who need to be spoon fed. Unfortunately it is common for inexperienced celebrities to assume writing children's books is an easy task. The illustrations while cute also lack depth and complexity.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a blended family (I'm not going to question the feasibility of a squirrel and chipmunk being together). When a storm forces both families from their homes, they end up together in the same hollow tree. The pictures were cozy and autumn-y, and I liked that there was an actual plotline.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blended families at their best!

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!!!!

[P. B. Yeary · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Valentine's Day pick for 2025 is this 2021 story about a charming little blended family. During a terrible storm the Squirrel mother and Chipmunk father and their children are forced to flee their homes. They meet in the middle of a hollow tree where they are forced to shelter in place for several days. During that time a new family formed.

I love this book because it's the children who sort of fall for each other. Both groups of kids find new playmates, new foods, and new talents that they didn't know they had. They are better together, and move in the hollow of the tree.

What I liked is that the transition isn't easy. As is typical in these situations they bulk at each other's differences at first. The new family doesn't eat the same foods, play the same games, or live the same way. When the grumping becomes too much the parents separate the kids.

What I didn't like. I know the solution, blending the family, was kind of the point of the story.
But it seemed a little uprupt to me. When it's time to go back home they discover they old homes are not as full, not as bright, not as interesting without their new friends. But instead of visiting each other for a while, they make the bold decision to move in with each other permently. Seems a big leap, but again I know that's the point.

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[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although they come together to escape a thunderstorm rather than through marriage, the Squirrelly squirrels and McMunk chipmunks face all the challenges that any two households joining together does. When the storm lets up they return to their respective homes but find that something is missing. Both families then decide to permanently combine their households because it's better together. Written by authors who themselves blended two families, the struggles are realistic. The nature of the McMunk family and Squirrelly family union makes this book more broadly relatable to families who may have to move in with other relatives for a myriad of other reasons. The colors of this book are rich, nicely conveying both dark stormy weather and pale fall sunshine. The chipmunks are drawn with oversized eyes and the squirrels expressive mouths. Especially pleasing is the rendering of the tree bark.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The squirrel family (mama and two young squirrels) are safe in their treetop nest. At the same time, the Chipmunk family (papa and two young chipmunks) are safe in their burrow. But then - a storm hits! Both families rush to a place they know will be safe - a hollow tree. At first everyone us excited that they are all their together. Games are more fun with four instead of just two. But then they become a little grumpy about being forced together and the grumbling and squabbling begins. Once the storm is over, the families return to their original dwelling but things just aren't the same without their new friends. So they end up back in the hollow tree - together!
This could be a good story time addition for a family theme. Or just to prepare kids for visiting relatives. There will always be squabbles and disagreements but cooperation can equal new friends/family and lots of fun.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Flamingo Books through Edelweiss+.
A charming story about woodland creatures that have to flee from their homes due to the storm. Both the squirrels and chipmunks share the old hollow tree. At first life is grand, but then tensions of living together set in. As expected, once they return home, the places don't look as good and they remember all the fun with their friends. Both families figure out how to share the space and move back in together. The illustrations offer further details about all six characters and let readers move into the spaces too. Great read aloud for families that can lead to discussion on getting along and sharing spaces.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are nicely done with cute, loveable looking animals. I appreciate the end message of a blended family. However, there isn't really a lot of layers to the book or higher level things to discuss with children about issues that arise when mixing families. I suppose the eating scenes could lead to discussing how it is important to be flexible and realize other families do things differently. I don't know what just didn't click with me on this one. Not a terrible addition to libraries for the sake of nice illustrations and an animal story but I would put it at the end of the wish list and don't over-estimate the amount it actually discusses blended family situations.

[Decha Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the joys, tribulations, and compromises of blending families is wonderful. However, while the illustrations are cute, I thought they could have been more playful. The squirrels, in particular, may have looked better a shade or two lighter than the trees. I would have rated this book 4 stars, but there was a glaring error that was surprisingly unnoticed during proofing. Towards the end of the story, Mrs. Squirrley is referred to as Mama Squirrel. The capitalization on this new reference turned this into a proper noun, which isn't her name. I did, however, love Mr. McMunk's name and the family's new blended name in the end.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book with such lovely illustrations. The animals are so freakin cute! I really liked this book.

SHORT SUMMARY AHEAD WITH SPOILERS:

It's basically about two families being thrown out of their home due to a big storm and end up in the same hollow tree. It was all fun and games until they got tired of each other (kind of like being in lockdown) and soon couldn't wait to go home. The storm was then finally over and they went back to their homes, but what they thought was the best was in fact not. Both families decided to visit each other and ended up meeting back at the hollow tree where they both then moved in and became one happy family.

Adorable.

[Katie Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

K - 3rd Grade
Fiction

This book was really sweet. A nice story of a family of squirrels and a family of chipmunks that are forced to live together for a short time due to a storm. They loved it at first, but quickly got annoyed with each other and wanted to go back to the way things were. As soon as that was an option, they found they missed each other, so they came back together and lived happily ever after. I also really loved the illustrations, they were perfect! And most of all, the book dedication by the authors said they dedicated it to their children who proved that family is defined not by blood, but by love. I absolutely love it, and the book!

[Norah C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book! I loved all of the illustrations and the fact that a lot of them seemed to be washed over with a bit of blue to show the rain up until the squirrel and chipmunk families got inside. Lots of sound words too, which makes this especially appealing to younger ages. The story itself doesn't have an insane amount of depth, the premise of it doesn't require it. It also subtly shows the idea of a blended family, putting it in an easily digestible format that would work well for introducing the concept to children.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Squirrellys and the McMunks meet on one stormy night in the forest, sharing a tree hollow for shelter. At first, it's fun having more critters to play with, but after awhile, things get a bit crowded... Better Together! is a sweet book about the ups and downs of merging families, and how even when you might want to throw an acorn at your relatives, you'd still do anything to keep them with you.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the opening snippet on the end flap..
"An unexpected change can lead to remarkable things."

2 single parent families end up in the same safety place during a storm.
Cute
Think the buzz for this book comes from the celebraty authors.

could prompt interesting discussion.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A storm drives two families together for shelter. At first things are great but then things get testy. When the storm is over though and they return to their original homes they realize the 2 families are better together and move into their shelter together.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, simple story that celebrates blended families. The Squirrelys and the McMunks end up together in the same cozy hollow tree in a storm. There are arguments, but they ultimately decide they prefer to be together than apart.

[Elizabeth]

Cute illustrations.

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was...weird

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Squirrelly and the McMunk families become one after a terrible storm.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A squirrel and chipmunk family end up in the same tree hollow during a storm and form an unlikely family.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute....and a good message. Learning to live with people with differences is important.

Someone in our classes shouted, "They're going to get married!" and everyone was totally grossed out.

[Christine Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations and a good story about blending families.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations were so sweet! But the story was terribly lacking.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, ok story. Good choice for Autumn and blended families.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a blended family.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian]

Two families becoming one family

[Y.Poston]

delightful blended family tale

[Vaishali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short and simple… but a bit too autobiographical and “preachie”. Sweet, but lacking in what makes a really good children’s story : magic and enchantment.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is all about 2 families getting to live in the same space, and getting along!