Review by Booklist Review
Most holiday books are centered around Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, but here's one that takes kids into the New Year. Squirrel doesn't know what a resolution is happily, Bear the librarian explains it quite well, both to her and to the book's audience. Squirrel then visits her forest friends to see what resolutions they have planned and hopes she'll be able to think of one for herself. Skunk, Turtle, and Mole all have ideas, but they can't seem to get started until Squirrel gives them a push. She comes away disappointed that nothing's come to her, but when she meets her friends later at the diner, they point out that her involvement has led to a resolution to help someone every day. The story line gets a little muddy as the resolutions become more interrelated, but the happy pictures and the (possibly new) knowledge that a resolution is an important, attainable goal carry the day. Perfect for those tired of pumpkins and Santa.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Miller and Ember (Substitute Groundhog) reunite to tell the story of Squirrel, who is eager to make a New Year's resolution but isn't sure where to start ("Is it like making a snack?"). Her friend Bear explains the concept ("A resolution is a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others"), but Squirrel is then faced with a new problem-coming up with one. As she visits Skunk, Mole, and Turtle and hears their plans for the New Year, Squirrel's desire to help her friends with their resolutions distracts her from her quest to find one. Ember's thoughtfully detailed acrylic paintings create a friendly woodland setting for this largely conflict-free story. In the end, Squirrel discovers that she had a resolution all along: to help others daily. This story teeters on being overly didactic (a final scene that shows Squirrel holding a sign that reads "I resolve to help someone every day!" is overkill), but it should get kids considering resolutions of their own. Ages 5-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Squirrel wants to make a resolution, "a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others." As she walks through the woods, pausing to cheer up Skunk, assist Mole and Turtle, and joke with Porcupine, Squirrel realizes that she can help someone every day. Cheery acrylic illustrations reflect the tone. (c) Copyright 2011. 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
As Squirrel tries to think of her own New Year's resolution, she runs into others who need help with theirs. Having lent a hand to so many friends, she unwittingly makes her decision: to help someone every day. Bland acrylics show anthropomorphic woodland creatures. The borderline preachy plot is nevertheless a decent introduction to the New Year's tradition. (c) Copyright 2011. 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
(Picture book. 4-8) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
