Scaredy Squirrel

Scaredy Squirrel is the title character of the Scaredy Squirrel children’s book series. The books often follow the same format: Scaredy identifies his fears, shows how he avoids them at all costs, and develops contingency plans, which usually involve an emergency kit and playing dead till the threat has passed. Scaredy is inevitably faced with the fears he tries so hard to avoid, eventually learning that it is not as bad as he initially imagined. However, he only slightly alters his strict daily routines after these experiences.

The Scaredy Squrirel series is written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt and the first book was published in March 2006 by Kids Can Press. The series is told using large pictures with simple descriptive text.

A sequel, "Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend" was published In March 2007 by Kids Can Press. In the second book, Scaredy decides to leave his nut tree and find the perfect friend; he must be germ free, toothless and completely predictable. With meticulous planning and preparation Scaredy sets off with rubber gloves and air freshener in hand, but the friend he finds is not what he had in mind at all.

A third Scaredy Squirrel title, "Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach", was published in March 2008. [ [http://www.amazon.ca/s?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Scaredy+Squirrel+at+the+Beach Amazon.ca: Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach: Books ] ] In this book, Scaredy Squirrel has the perfect plan to have some 100% safe fun in the sun by building a beach getaway under his nut tree, complete with a germ-free inflatable pool and plastic flamingo. Still, a crucial part of the beach is missing — the sound of the ocean — so with his meticulous map and worst-case scenario contingency plan, Scaredy sets off to bring home the perfect seashell. But he's keeping an eye out for menacing seagulls, pinching lobsters, scary sharks, falling coconuts and camera-shy sea monsters.

Things Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of

"Scaredy Squirrel"

green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, sharks

"Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend"

Walruses, rabbits, beavers, piranhas, Godzilla

"Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach"

Pirates, jellyfish, lobsters, sea monsters, seagulls, falling coconuts

Awards

American:

Won:

ALA’s Notable Children’s Books
Independent Publisher Book Awards – Picture Books 6 and under (Bronze)
Children's and YA Bloggers' Literary Awards - Cybils
NCTE Notable Children’s Books in Language Arts

Shortlisted:

ReadBoston 2006 Best Read Aloud Book Award
ForeWord Book of the Year Award
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
North Carolina Children's Book Award – Picture Book

Canadian:

Won:

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for Children’s Picture Book
OLA Blue Spruce Award 2007 & 2008

Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award

Shortlisted:

CBA Libris Award for Children’s Author of the Year

International:

Won:

"Le Prix de la Librairie Millepage" in Vincennes, 2006 (France)

Selection:

Richard & Judy Book Club Selection (UK)

References

Text

* cite book
last = Watt | first = Melanie
year = 2006
title = Scaredy Squirrel
publisher = Kids Can Press ISBN 978-1-55337-959-1
* cite book
last = Watt | first = Melanie
year = 2007
title = Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend
publisher = Kids Can Press ISBN 978-1-55453-181-3
* cite book
last = Watt | first = Melanie
year = 2008
title = Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
publisher = Kids Can Press ISBN 978-1-55453-225-4

External links

*http://www.scaredysquirrel.com/
*http://www.kidscanpress.com/