Sam Squirrel

Gr 2-4–Sam Squirrel doesn’t feel “squirrelly” enough to fit in with the rest of his family; he’d prefer to spend his time pondering and making lists than scurrying and gathering acorns. When the first day of spring comes and goes without Mother Nature’s annual visit to check in on the animals of Quiet Woods, everyone worries about the ongoing winter. Sam puts his list-making skills to work, recording the critters’ concerns and setting off with Prince Errol (an elk) to try and find Mother Nature. Along the way, they meet her granddaughter, Willow, who teams up with Sam to try and bring forth the spring. While most characters lack development beyond their species, readers are likely to root for Sam and may relate to his feelings of self-doubt. Whimsical details bring the quaint setting to life, and charming gray-scale illustrations are peppered throughout. The story resolves neatly and also teases the next adventure.