Those Darn Squirrels! [Hardcover]

Adam Rubin (Author), Daniel Salmieri (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

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

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• 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: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

JBS - See all my reviews

This review is from: Those Darn Squirrels! (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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Matthew J. Baek "Author, PANDA AND POLAR BEAR" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Those Darn Squirrels! (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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Ideal Gift, January 10, 2009

By 

Barbara A. Rogers "brooklyn babs" (like the name says) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Those Darn Squirrels! (Hardcover)

I got this book for my nephew for Christmas and he LOVES it. It's a great story, with super illustrations, and somehow kids love to say, "Darn," 'cause it feels naughty. The best thing about buying kids' books is getting to read them first!