Today we celebrate cashews, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, and all the other nuts that flavor dishes and provide healthy snacks. Nuts are nutritious, providing a good source of vitamins, protein, fiber, and important minerals. Eating nuts on a regular basis can also help keep your heart healthy. So, crack open some nuts today and have a feast!
I received a copy of The Squirrels Who Squabbled from Scholastic, Inc. for review consideration. All opinions are my own. I’m happy to be teaming with Scholastic, Inc. in a giveaway of the book. See details below.
The Squirrels Who Squabbled
Written by Rachel Bright | Illustrated by Jim Field
In the middle of autumn, “a flighty young squirrel, / Who everyone knew as / ‘Spontaneous Cyril’” discovered he hadn’t prepared for the winter. In fact, “he hadn’t a mouthful of food ANYWHERE.” Then he spied a closed pinecone in a tree across the way. But as Cyril planned how to nab this very last treat, “‘Plan-Ahead Bruce’ had his sights on the prize.”

Image copyright Jim Field, 2019, text copyright Rachel Bright, 2019. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
Although Bruce had amassed a tower of nuts, seeds, berries, and mushrooms to get him through the winter, he decided he must have that last pinecone too. So while Cyril took off running up the tree trunk on one side, Bruce scrambled up around the other side. Their scrabbling shook the tree and dislodged the pinecone from its nook. “Both squirrels gave chase at a lightning pace. / This was the start of a wild, nutty race.” They called out: “it’s mine!”. . . “No, it’s not!” . . . “Yes, it is!” and other such talk as they rushed after the pinecone.

Image copyright Jim Field, 2019, text copyright Rachel Bright, 2019. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
“It BOINGED over bushes. . . and flew through the air. / It BINGED on the nose of a slumbering bear! / It BOUNCED over boulders then came to a . . . / STOP.” There, high on a cliff, it balanced a moment then fell into the rushing river below. Bruce and Cyril dived in after it. Each were thiiiis close to grabbing it when a bird nab it instead and flew far away. Meanwhile, the logs they were rafting on drifted over a waterfall. As they plunged did they think: “They’d squandered their chances / to team up and share. / Would their nutty young homes / simply end in despair?”

Image copyright Jim Field, 2019, text copyright Rachel Bright, 2019. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
As they passed by a tree, Cyril clung to a branch and reached out his hand to rescue Bruce. Soaked and exhausted they crawled to dry land. “Then Bruce looked at Cyril and… exploded in giggles!” He thought they’d been silly and that he was greedy to boot. He vowed that he’d change and that their skirmish would cease. He said, “‘We should celebrate—seeing / we’re both in one piece!’” And Bruce kept his word. From then on he shared his bounty with Cyril and all the animals of the forest because he’d learned that sharing with friends was the best thing of all.

Image copyright Jim Field, 2019, text copyright Rachel Bright, 2019. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.
Kids will eat up Rachel Bright’s funny friendship story that bounces along at the pace of a flick of a squirrel’s tail. Her set-up to the action of the story is nifty with humorous and telling nicknames for the two squirrels and spreads that deftly depict their opposing lifestyle philosophies. Cyril and Bruce’s race through the forest, plunge over the waterfall, and daring rescue provide plenty of material for dramatic readings of Bright’s spectacular rhymes and rhythm. Her delectable vocabulary serves up comical squabbles, gripping suspense, and a heartwarming ending. Readers will eagerly join in on the rousing onomatopoeic rhymes. Bright’s message of camaraderie and what’s most important in life is always welcome and is well delivered. The story offers many opportunities for creative extension ideas.
Jim Field’s striking images of the forest in autumn—rendered in gold, red, orange and green with touches of rose—are fresh and peaceful. The sun-dappled vistas soon become an ironic counterbalance for the hilarious antics of Cyril and Bruce. The two rakish squirrels leap and bound through the forest, their speed portrayed with blurred backgrounds and their wrangling for the last pinecone pictured in tangled and grasping arms and legs. Cyril and Bruce’s plummet over the waterfall is a vertical showstopper as is an illustration of the black bear among the birch trees. Get ready for repeat readings of the page where the pinecone ricochets from tree to rocks to the bear’s nose and lots of giggles when Bruce and Cyril make up. The final two-page spread of Bruce and Cyril’s feast shows friendship at its best.
Without a doubt, The Squirrels Who Squabbled is a book to add to home, classroom, and school libraries. It will be an often-asked-for favorite for story times all year ‘round.
Ages 3 – 7
Scholastic Inc., 2019 | ISBN 978-1338538038
Discover more about Rachel Bright and her books on her website.
To learn more about Jim Field, his books, and his art, visit his website.
National Nut Day Activity
Pinecone Bird feeder
Making a pinecone bird feeder is a quick, fun way to nourish your backyard friends! Here are some simple directions for making your own!
Supplies
- Large pinecone
- Vegetable shortening
- Birdseed
- String
- Knife or popsicle stick
- Spoon
- 2 Bowls
Directions
- Tie a length of string around one of the top layers of pinecone leaves and knot it to make a loop for hanging.
- Spoon about 1/3 cup of vegetable shorting into a bowl
- With the knife spread the shortening over the leaves of the pinecone, covering it completely.
- Pour birdseed into a bowl
- Roll the pinecone in the bowl of birdseed, patting seed into the crevices and around the sides.
- Hang your pinecone bird feeder on a branch or pole and watch the birds enjoy it!
You can find The Squirrels Who Squabbled at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound
Picture Book Review
I’m a big Rachel Bright and Jim Field fan! They are a perfect match for each other’s talents! Their storytelling opens doors for teachers and students alike to fall in love with reading, beloved characters who have much to teach us! I would treasure adding this title to my collection to share with teachers and students across the district I support as a literacy coach! My favorite forest animal would probably be a fox 🦊
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Foxes are beautiful! I’m lucky to see one once in a while in our wooded neighborhood. I love Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s books too. I previously reviewed The Lion Inside – another great book!
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So Funny!
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These squirrels definitely keep kids laughing!
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Thank you for the opportunity to win this book! It looks/and sounds amazing for young readers or family time!
I would choose a fox for favorite Forrest animal.
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Beautiful choice! Thanks for entering my giveaway!
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This looks like a totally adorable, relatable, and funny book; especially if you’re used to saying to people, “Oh look!! A Squirrel!”
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🙂 There is something about squirrels that demand attention, isn’t there? They’re always up to some kind of shenanigans!
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This is a book my students are sure to enjoy!
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Absolutely! Get ready for lots of laughs!
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Bears are my favorite forest animal. How can you not love that face. ☹️
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Sweet, for sure! And cuddly!
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My favorite forest animals are squirrels–really and truly! But it is specifically the American grey squirrels that I most like! They are energetic and always hard at work!
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I agree! They’re fascinating to watch – and very smart!
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Squirrel books rule! Squirrels are the new pigs, or dogs, or dragons, or unicorns or whatever creature is popular at the moment!
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It certainly seems that way! Long may they reign!
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This books sounds wonderful! The meter of the verse is spot-on and the illustrations pair perfectly with the words.
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Yes! This book is really a joy to read aloud and so funny. Rachel Bright and Jim Field make a great team.
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