Those Darn Squirrels! [Hardcover]

Adam Rubin (Author), Daniel Salmieri (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2008 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 680L (What's this?)

Old Man Fookwire is a grump. The only thing he likes to do is paint pictures of the birds that visit his backyard. The problem is, they fly south every winter, leaving him sad and lonely. So he decides to get them to stay by putting up beautiful birdfeeders filled with seeds and berries. Unfortunately, the squirrels like the treats, too, and make a daring raid on the feeders. The conflict escalates—until the birds depart (as usual), and the squirrels come up with a plan that completely charms the old grump.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4—This simple tale has a sneaky, edgy humor that erupts into hilarity as well as a warm, stabilizing feeling for humanity in all of its quirky manifestations. "Old Man Fookwire was so old that when he sneezed, dust came out. He was also a grump. He hated pie. He hated puppies. The only thing he liked was birds." This verbal introduction to the main character is enhanced with paintings—reminiscent of some of the best European children's book illustrations—of an exaggeratedly skinny, flannel-shirted caricature with a long neck, long nose, oversized glasses, and protruding Adam's apple. He never smiles, even when he's painting pictures of the birds that visit his yard every summer. In an attempt to keep the birds around when autumn arrives, he builds wonderful birdfeeders. They do indeed attract the birds—but they also catch the eye of the squirrels. The cheerful, brilliant, and adorable creatures are shown using pulleys, weights, and remarkable cooperative planning to foil Fookwire and raid the feeders. The old man fights back. But the squirrels, still smiling and hopeful, stay up all night for a planning meeting and devise a daring escapade that relies heavily on their deep understanding of physics and their willingness to be launched through the air. What happens to the squirrels, the birds, and to Old Man Fookwire is a symphony of regret, respect, and sweetness. Readers will want to linger over this book and treasure every page.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Winner of a Borders Original Voices Award

A 2009 Children's Choice Award nominee

“Bald Fookwire is a riot. . . and the squirrels, with their bloated bellies and contented smiles, are a flying hoot in this droll debut.”—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“A symphony of regret, respect, and sweetness. Readers will want to linger over this book and treasure every page.”—School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (September 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547007035
• ISBN-13: 978-0547007038
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Alternative to "Pink" Books! June 8, 2009

By JBS

Format:Hardcover

My 5-year-old daughter loves all that is good and pink and purple, but we do need some variety every now and then. This book is great fun! We totally relate to Old Man Fookwire's frustrations and laugh at the squirrels' crazy plans. (We're certain there are similar plans being drafted by those darn squirrels in our own backyard!) I would think all ages would enjoy this clever story.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good fun! April 2, 2009

By Matthew J. Baek

Format:Hardcover

We have a birdfeeder in our back yard that squirrels feed out of. My daughter always yells at them. I'm not a grumpy old man but there is a definite parallel. Just like the grumpy old man, I try various ways to stop the squirrels without prevail. After reading the book my daughter and I shake our fists from the other side of the window and get a good laugh.

I like books like this that we can relate to in our daily lives and it does in a fun way. I like the illustrations too, a bit cartoony and very stylish. I think anyone with a birdfeeder probably could relate, and even without a birdfeeder, it's a fun book to read to kids.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing Proboscis December 8, 2012

By Andrew Schonbek TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

But for the disturbing nose of old man Fookwire this is an enjoyable book.

However, we must deal with this distressing schnozola in no less that ten images throughout the book. It is very long, very red, and very pointy.

Fookwire is a lonely and unhappy man whose only joy in life is the backyard birds. These he loves dearly, and he spends his time painting pictures of them. Otherwise, there's not much to endear him to anyone - he hates puppies, pie, and presumably many other things.

But is it necessary to portray him with this most disgusting snout?

Otherwise, the illustrations by Daniel Salmieri are absolutely delightful. The squirrels who disturb the peace and harmony of Fookwire's yard are a particular joy. Each one has an industrious and expressive face as it goes about plotting madcap raids on the old man's bird feeders.

The birds too are a pleasure to behold. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. No wonder Fookwire never tires of painting them...

The accompanying text is also memorable. For example, a description of the capabilities of squirrels: " Not many people know this, but squirrels are the cleverest of all woodland creatures. In fact, they're fuzzy little geniuses! They can make a house out of a tree, a bed out of a bunch of leaves, and a box kite out of twigs, dirt and squirrel spit". Is the box kite a bit over the top? Perhaps, but we also learn that "They are also excellent at math".

Author Adam Rubin tells a funny tale of bad guys who are really good guys, forgiveness, resourcefulness, and happy endings all around.

There's just one problem.

The nose.