Scaredy Squirrel gets festive

Gr 1--3--Scaredy's knack for planning and generosity make him a great holiday leader for his group of friends. Across six linked chapters, Scaredy and his animal friends Ivy, Tim, and Rash engage in various Christmas-themed activities, each with a twist. From building a gingerbread house (and sealing it so it can't be ruined) to wrapping gifts (while wearing a shower cap, goggles, and gloves), Scaredy is in control. The occasional surprise frog or germ still sends him reeling, though. All three animal friends are respectful of Scaredy's methods, even if Tim and Rash are a little reckless with their play. The friendly foursome is drawn as cheerful and inviting as their personalities, with a touch of panic reserved for a turbo-speed chocolate fountain. The charts and diagrams are the cherry (star?) on top, including an opening quiz to determine if readers are too scared of Christmas imagery to continue, a selection of red and green objects that are associated with danger, and of course, Scaredy's multiple checklists. Scaredy's knack for composing and demonstrating directions, along with matching others' qualities to ideal gifts, makes him a great role model for any season. VERDICT There's nothing to fear about safely building some Christmas cheer with this title.--Thomas Maluck

Scaredy Squirrel wants to have the PERFECT Christmas…if only his friends would cooperate. Scaredy Squirrel starts preparing for the holidays in July. "He makes a list and checks it way more than twice." When December arrives, Scaredy is ready, and his friends want to help with the plans, but when Tim and Rash try to toboggan down a mountain, they accidentally snowball and end up destroying all the decorations. After Scaredy's pals make several horrible and humorous suggestions for substitute decorations, Ivy has the perfect solution: hanging red and green Ping-Pong balls on the tree. The friends even set up a security detail to protect the tree from nutcrackers, "mobs of last-minute shoppers," and elves. Short chapters with brief speech bubbles keep the action moving as Scaredy's list for holiday preparations is completed. Holiday treats are baked, a gingerbread house is constructed, gifts are thoughtfully selected and wrapped, a Christmas Eve party is planned and enjoyed (sort of), and treats are left for Santa and the reindeer. Humor is threaded throughout all the preparations--Tim wants to "trim" the tree by removing branches with his beaver teeth, and hilariously precise, step-by-step plans will encourage kids to create their own decorations and gingerbread houses. Sure to make the season a little merrier, no matter what plans readers have. (Graphic fiction. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.