From Publishers Weekly:
Tafuri's (Have You Seen My Duckling?)
is in classic form in her latest large
scale offering.As Squirrel hops and jumps
through a pumpkin patch and around the
nearby woods, his long, rangy body
expertly scaling branches and the occasional
bird feeder, friends invite him to pause
for some fun. "But Squirrel couldn't,"
explains Tafuri. "He was so busy!" Kids
can chime in on six oldie-but-goodie
animal sounds ("Squeak,squeak,"says Mouse,
"Will you nibble a pumpkin with us?")
while they savor Tafuri's signature style:
the precisely drawn, generously sized
animal shapes, the delicate detailing that
makes fur and feathers bristle with energy,
and the softly variegated colors that evoke
the magic of the season.A wonderful book to
usher in autumn. Ages 2-5
From School Library Journal:
PreS-K–A worthwhile addition to Tafuri's growing
treasury of simple and satisfying stories for
young children. Squirrel is getting ready for winter.
Other animals,such as Mouse,Frog,and Cat,want him to
stop and play,but the refrain is always the same:
"But Squirrel couldn't...He was so busy!" Finally,
when night arrives,Owl invites him to watch the moon,
"But Squirrel couldn't...He was fast asleep!"The
drama of the page turn is used to good effect as
Squirrel leaps,climbs,and runs through his day gathering and storing food. Readers will be engaged
by the oversize illustrations and kept busy naming
the many items accumulated-acorns,berries,ears of
corn-as well as spotting a fellow squirrel and
various insects presented on each spread. The text,
with its soothing repetition,is predictable and
reassuring.A natural choice for fall read-aloud
programs.
From Booklist:
PreS-K."The air was getting cold. It was time for
Squirrel to get ready for winter."As Squirrel dashes
around the farm and meadow, his animal friends invite
him to join their games:"Will you hop rocks with us?"ask the frogs."Will you run in the field with us?"ask the dogs. The answer to each invitation is the same:"Squirrel
couldn't...He was so busy!" The ink-and-watercolor
pictures show squirrel's flurry of activity,as he collects berries and nuts,and prepares his nest for
winter.At last, an owl family invites Squirrel to
admire the moon,but Squirrel can't–he's fast asleep!
As in Tafuri's other titles,the basic words and large,
clearly defined pictures of familiar animals are
perfectly suited for preschool read-alouds.Kids will
enjoy chanting along with the story's refrain,while
those just learning to read will appreciate the big
letters and short sentences.Filled with images of
falling leaves,pumpkins,and other signs of autumn,
this is a good choice for primary-grade units about
the seasons.
From Kirkus Reviews:
When winter nears, Squirrel begins his preparations.The leaves begin to fall and the air starts getting colder,
so Squirrel springs into action.He has no time to talk
to a pair of mice eating a pumpkin or cardinals on a high
branch or frogs on the edge of the pond."He was so busy!"
is the repeated refrain.Not even a family of dogs can slow Squirrel's determined gathering of apples and berries and acorns.Tafuri's signature illustrations,
rendered in brush pen,ink and watercolor pencils depict his brisk autumn movements with precision.Owl,protectively covering three wee owlets,
asks Squirrel to watch the moon with her,but he can't;
he's fast asleep with his booty in the hole of a tree.
An appealing nature lesson for the very young,abetted
by direct,simple text and pictures' subtle detail and
attractive composition.(Picture book.3-6)
