Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3-6. In this appealing, oversize picture book, Ehlert tells the story of a pesky squirrel who steals bird seed from the feeder, digs up bulbs in the garden, ventures into the house, and is lured out again with a handful of nuts. A child, never pictured, tells the tale in rhyme: "Nuts to you! I shouted, loud as I could. That squirrel peeked out. I knew he would." In the collage-style illustrations, the brightly colored birds, flowers, and other highlights contrast effectively with the mottled, deeper shades of the bricks, the sidewalk, and the squirrel himself. The text appears in large, bold letters, while labels in small type (at times difficult to read) identify the backyard (and window box) plants, birds, and bugs that appear in the illustrations. Following the story is "Squirrel Talk," a few illustrated pages of brief, informative text discussing the identification, physical features, homes, and food of squirrels. An engaging picture book with a subject that's both familiar and intriguing to many young children. ~--Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
According to PW, "A squirrel's increasingly intrepid explorations are the springboard for cut-paper collages as striking as any in Ehlert's considerable portfolio." Ages 3-7. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-- A city squirrel peeks out from his tree hole, inviting young listeners and beginning readers to a romp through a world of bold color, texture, and rhyme. This crafty creature digs in window pots overflowing with vivid blossoms and vegetables, does gymnastics to steal seeds from the birds, and begs for a treat at an apartment window. The rascal even sneaks inside for a look around and is quickly lured away by the narrator's offering of ``nuts to you.'' Working with large stylized forms, Ehlert uses collage and watercolor staining techniques to define textures of earthy bark, brick, and fur. Contrasting bright hues of sky, vegetation, and birds add to the visual excitement. The simple, spirited plot, lively verse, and stunning double-page spreads will make Nuts to You! a story-time standard. And since the last four pages include information about a squirrel's body, home, and food, it can also be used in integrated language arts/science units. Another beauty from Ehlert. --Linda Wicher, Highland Park Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A frisky squirrel digs up bulbs and steals birdseed from a nearby feeder; in his boldest act, he enters the young narrator's apartment through a tear in the window screen. With her usual inventive sense of style, Ehlert makes the most of the squirrel's antics. The story, told in brisk rhyme, is a fast-paced romp, and the large, dramatically styled collages will dazzle every reader. Ehlert's familiar labeling of plants and animals continues in this book, and her innovative bookmaking adds enjoyment. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Another handsome book from an innovative graphic designer and Caldecott Honor Medalist. Spritely (if unexceptional) verse describes an inquisitive squirrel venturing from tree to birdfeeder to window box (``He's in the flowers, / he's really bad. / He's digging up bulbs. / My mom is mad!'') and through a torn screen into the narrator's apartment--from which he's lured out again with peanuts on the sidewalk. The main event here is the vibrant, boldly stylized art: the gray squirrel is silhouetted against the building's richly dappled and shadowed red brick, festooned with flowers. Each species--potted fuchsia, sturdy dandelion, house finch, or ladybug--is discretely captioned; additional information on squirrels appears at the end. A delightfully playful touch: the title page and CIP, cropped to little more than an inch, are hidden on the verso of two strips of the squirrel tree's bark. (Picture book. 3-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
