Review by Booklist Review
A pair of gray squirrels scampers through the seasons in this upbeat entry in Jenkins and Jones' First Science Storybook series, which began with Bird Builds a Nest (2018). Carefully designed with the youngest readers in mind, attractive mixed-media illustrations and simple, engaging text are infused with basic science concepts to introduce ideas related to seasons, weather, and, of course, squirrels. The book opens with a snowy landscape, where a watchful owl perches in a big tree by a frozen pond and the squirrels are curled cozily in their nest. Jones uses muted blues and whites to reflect the frigid temperatures, but when spring arrives, the pond bursts with color, life, and activity, including one squirrel's acrobatics to reach a budding tree branch. One by one, the seasons transform the pond, prompting its animal residents to adjust their behaviors. Jones' lovely illustrations capture the serenity and drama of nature, and Jenkins' storybook approach makes the information easy to digest. A note to instructors offers a scientific explanation of seasonal change to share with inquiring youngsters.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a companion to Bird Builds a Nest, Jenkins opens with a brief discussion of weather and season-related concepts (the Earth's orbit around the sun, clouds, thunderstorms) before offering a seasonal, image-rich story about two squirrels. They begin tucked away in their winter den; in spring, the two "are out and about, looking for food. The acorns are all gone, but there are fat, juicy buds on the maple trees." Throughout the year, an owl watches over the woodland glen-in one spread, the squirrels narrowly escape his talons. Jones's compositions feature chiseled lines, grassy textures, and artful use of perspective, including a view from deep inside the squirrels' nest. The science-based content is edifying, though Jenkins's subtle message about the value of observing changes in nature may resonate most strongly. Ages 4-6. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Veteran science writer Jenkins introduces the seasons as experienced by a pair of gray squirrels in this follow-up to Bird Builds a Nest. Opening in winter, the simple text sets the scene: "It's cold! The sun is low in the sky, the pond is frozen, and there's snow on the ground." A diurnal owl accompanies readers, observing the squirrels' activities as they relate to the seasons: finding stored food in the winter, eating juicy buds and bulbs in the spring, experiencing a thunderstorm in the summer, and collecting and burying acorns in the fall. The book opens with an author's note that briefly explains the reason for seasons, clouds and precipitation, and thunderstorms. It concludes with "Thinking About Seasons and Weather," a series of follow-up questions intended to prompt discussion and extend the concepts introduced. There's a perfunctory index, too. Jones's stylized mixed-media illustrations are rendered in muted tones and sometimes take small liberties; for instance, gray squirrels are primarily solitary creatures though here they behave as a pair, and the spring maple tree features both "fat juicy buds" and full-grown leaves in a variety of colors including green, orange, and blue. VERDICT An additional purchase for collections with a shortage of STEM books about the seasons for their youngest patrons.-Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, MA © Copyright 2018. 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 pair of squirrels and other residents of their pond-side community interact through four distinct seasons. In winter, the sleeping squirrels pop out quickly for acorns under the watchful eye of a barn owl. They feast on maple buds in the spring, as frogs and birds appear by the pond. Summer heat and storms are followed by a cooling fall, in which the squirrels bury acorns for the upcoming winter. Continuity in the story, as well as a hint of danger, is provided by the relationship between a predator owl and the squirrels. Perfectly crafted sentencessimple, yet packed with clues to the underlying scienceemphasize patterns and the relationships among seasons, weather, and nature: Its winter. Its cold! The sun is low in the sky, the pond is frozen, and theres snow on the ground. Mixed-media illustrations echo the scientific sophistication of the text, using a muted palette that still captures each seasons distinct landscapes, trees, and animal behaviors. The stylized but not anthropomorphized squirrels are filled with personality, as if stopped for just a moment as they scurry up and down tree branches. A note for adults about the science of the seasons is provided at the beginning, and one for young readers (including some questions and a simple experiment) appears at the end. Appended with an index. danielle j. ford (c) Copyright 2018. 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
Muted, mixed-media illustrations pair nicely with spare, poetic text that depicts the seasons in a forest.An owl sits in a hole in a tree, "keeping an eye on things" as each new season begins and ends. Squirrels first seen curled up in a tree soon seek food as snowflakes drift down; birds and frogs liven up the pond in spring but quiet down in summer heat; the squirrels scurry about once again in fall as the frogs burrow their way into the mud below the pond. This book doesn't shy away from presenting natural dangerswhen the owl goes hunting, squirrels must beware. And summer lightning hits the owl's treewill it escape in time? Winter comes again, and so does a new perspective: Readers peek out through a hole in the tree from deep inside the squirrels' den to see the owl flying past. This first introduction to the science of seasons and animal behavior features painterly, detailed illustrations that enchant and instruct, illuminating and extending the lively, approachable, often onomatopoeic text. Frontmatter explains why we have seasons and certain weather patterns such as thunderstorms; complementary backmatter offers both topical discussion questions and a subject index, which further lend this book to STEM-related storytimes and activities.A lyrical introduction to STEM for budding scientists, animal lovers, and artists everywhere. (Informational picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
