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 e...
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reviews
Apr 26, 2011
dee
rated it: 
This was a super funny book. It is so true. My brother calls squirrels "information gatherers". They are very smart indeed. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The illustrator is fabulous too. He nails the expressions and the whole squirrel character. I especially loved page 11 where they make the bed,kite, and do math to boot! This book leaves you with a positive outlook on those darn squirrels!
I had to read this one again so I can share it with my little guy next Tuesda More...
I had to read this one again so I can share it with my little guy next Tuesda More...
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Apr 07, 2011
Candice
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Funny book - hilarious illustrations. This one is a winner, especially if you have had the experience of watching squirrels raid your bird feeder - those darn squirrels! That's what has happened to Old Man Fookwire (so old that dust comes out of his nose when he sneezes). The only thing this grump likes is birds. He realizes that if he puts up bird feeders in his yard, he will attract more birds. But he attracts squirrels, too. And those squirrels are smart! A particularly amusing illustr
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Dec 13, 2010
Sam B
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Nov 05, 2008
Amy
rated it: 
Freakin' hilarious - the grumpy old man who only like birds might just be won over by those darn squirrels if they try hard enough. Illustrations match the text so well that you'd think that the author had illustrated it. Great read-aloud for older elementary school age kids, especially for boys or reluctant readers b/c of the humor.
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Jan 10, 2011
Brendan
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"Old man Fookwire shook his fist and yelled, 'Those darn squirrels!'" A classic quote from the classy book Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin. When the birds that Old Man Fookwire paints are disturbed by the neighborhood squirrels, He takes action. He sets up traps, hides the bird food, and comes up with ingenious ways to keep the squirrels away. Unfortunately, it doesn't really work out. Adam Rubin does a fantastic job with his hilarious writing and unique style of artistry. The illu
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Sep 09, 2008
Rachael
rated it:
Amazing! This book taught me that I am pretty much a squirrel. And also, maybe, a cranky old man. But mostly a squirrel.
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Jul 09, 2010
Tatiana
rated it:
An odd but funny ode to squirrels. The artwork takes some getting used to, but it pays off tremendously with those sneaky squirrels who steal Old Man Fookwire's seeds and berries from his beloved bird feeders. Fookwire is a lonely old man who enjoys painting birds, and tries to keep them from flying south for the winter by providing them seeds and berries. Of course, those smart-aleck squirrels have other plans, and have fun fattening themselves up from his bird feeders. In the end, the squirrel
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Nov 17, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Funny and sweet. Manages to be gentle without being too soppy, probably because of the humor. The illustrations have a nifty color-coordinated splatter texture that balances well with the otherwise simple-looking drawing technique and composition. The squirrels are especially hilarious; my favorites were the two using an abacus and high-fiving each other over their math skills. As someone who has a long acquaintance with rodents, I can vouch that the author is right: squirrels really are gen
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Jan 14, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
I read those darn squirrels in class one day, not expecting to leave the classroom a different person. This book will forever change the way I look at old people who sneeze dust. In this book, Old Man Fookwire hates everything, even puppies! The only thing he likes are the birds on his birdfeeder. He has a problem one day though, he sees squirrels on his birdfeeder. Old Man Fookwire isn't a big fan of squirrels. But one day, the squirrels have a change of heart for the Old Man Fookwire.
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Nov 11, 2011
Maria
rated it:
Old man Fookwire is a grump, who loves birds. He plots to feed the birds in his yard so that they will stay the winter, but those darn squirrels keep eating the bird food. Will they be able to get along or will the squirrels out think everyone.
Why I started the book: I am a huge fan of squirrels. And mischievious squirrels are my favorite.
Why I finished it: This would be a great books for story time, to have the children yell, "Those darn squirrels" with you.
Why I started the book: I am a huge fan of squirrels. And mischievious squirrels are my favorite.
Why I finished it: This would be a great books for story time, to have the children yell, "Those darn squirrels" with you.
Aug 02, 2010
Lobstergirl
rated it:
"Old Man Fookwire was so old that when he sneezed, dust came out." He hates pie, and puppies. The only thing he likes is birds, which he paints crappy paintings of. To keep the birds year round, he builds birdfeeders, which are raided by squirrels. The writing was funny, and Daniel Salmieri's goofy watercolor and gouache illustrations are perfect. (Except, I didn't actually like the way his skies are full of specks.)
Sep 27, 2011
Philip
rated it:
My kids and I love this book. It's fun, witty, and a good story. You'll enjoy those parts where the squirrels outsmart Old Man Fookwire, followed by his oft-repeated lament "Those darn squirrels!" I love to do OMFs voice for the kids and they enjoy the antics of those crazy squirrels. I especially love the ending where the squirrels do their best to make it up to the old man. Plenty of fun for kids and adults.
Nov 10, 2011
B
rated it:
This is a great story of some darn squirrels. There is a nice, grumpy old man in it as well. It's pretty predictable, but in a satisfying way. My favorite part is when you see a squirrel shaking his fist like the old man does. The only thing is that the old man's name is Mr. Fookwire and that is a tricky name to pronounce correctly over and over in front of children.
Nov 30, 2011
Willow
rated it:
my 2 year old daughter and i really enjoy this book. the story is fun with a touch of silly and the illustrations make it even more amusing! it is about grumpy old fookwire and the squirrels that eventually befriend him. who knew squirrels could be so sweet! often a bedtime request in our house (sometimes mama is the one making the request).
Jan 08, 2012
Jean
rated it:
It will take a lot in 2012 to get more excited than I am right now over Adam Rubin's stories & the hilarious illustrations of the young & talented Daniel Salmieri! This is going to be howled over by my students & will love it as much as I do! I will be giving these books as gifts for year's to come! Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!!
Aug 07, 2009
Liza
rated it:
Yay! What a great story. The illustrations are spot-on, and the hidden actions of some of the characters are worth the book itself. (After all, how often do you see squirrels walking like an Egyptian hieroglyph?) I highly recommend this book, and I think it would do well in a storytime.
Apr 23, 2009
Aberdeen
rated it:
This is a clever story about a grumpy old man who hates everything but the birds. When he leaves out bird feeders, "those darn squirrels" eat it all almost no matter what the old man does! Eventually, with some very smart antics by the squirrels, they befriend the old man.
Nov 24, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Well I loved this quirky book but that is because my dad is exactly like the guy in the story - committed to outwit the squirrels that steal the birdseed in the feeders. Lobed thinking of the squirrels as the cunning little engineers they are! Very Fu. Fall read.
May 16, 2009
Tricia
rated it: 
Is it wrong of me to hold it against a book when it seems to be very similiar to another book written before it? The squirrel book is reminiscent to say the least of "Muncha Muncha Muncha" and given the choice, I would pick original. I'm lukewarm on this one.
Mar 19, 2011
Jeanna
rated it:
I probably appreciated this most because I am just starting to consider how to keep all the squirrels out of my veggie garden this year. And the answer is: I can't. They are fuzzy little geniuses, and what's more, they're good at math. My tomatoes are doomed.
Feb 17, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
I just let the loudest laugh of my library career escape. It's not my fault, how was I to expect an old man plauged by squirrels and eating cottage cheese with pepper to exclaim, "Great Googley Moogley!"
This book is gave me the giggles, read it!
This book is gave me the giggles, read it!
Jan 05, 2011
Grace
rated it:
"He shook his old man fist and yelled, 'Those darn squirrels!'"
Old Man Fookwire has a problem. Squirrels. He hates everything! Even pie! The only thing Old Man Fookwire doesn't hate is birds. But there is another problem, the birds will soon fly south for the winter! Old Man Fookwire will be all alone for the winter, except for "those darn squirrels!"
Those Darn Squirrels! is a great book for kids ages 6 and up. The illustrations are really good too. I rea More...
Old Man Fookwire has a problem. Squirrels. He hates everything! Even pie! The only thing Old Man Fookwire doesn't hate is birds. But there is another problem, the birds will soon fly south for the winter! Old Man Fookwire will be all alone for the winter, except for "those darn squirrels!"
Those Darn Squirrels! is a great book for kids ages 6 and up. The illustrations are really good too. I rea More...
Jul 12, 2009
Susie
rated it:
This is not one of the childrens books that you hide on the top shelf so that your kids will stop asking you to read it again and again. It's a cute funny story and the illustrations are great. I liked it and so did my kids.
Dec 27, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
This book made me laugh out loud. We read it to a group of 3rd graders, and the story and pictures (also hilarious) had them engaged throughout. It's funny and sweet, and I'm always a sucker for anthropomorphism.
Apr 19, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
The humor of this story is carried more by the illustrations than the text, IMHO. Daniel Salmieri's art has a European feel--elongated and whimsical figures. The clever and busy little squirrels are a riot.
Nov 05, 2011
Therese
rated it:
This is my 4-year-old daughter's new favorite book. She loves those crazy, crafty, party-animal squirrels, and wants me to read it over and over and over (and over) again.
May 07, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
This is a silly book about a rather frustrating topic: how to keep squirrels out of the birdfeeders. It proposes an interesting solution and it's a fun book to read aloud.
May 05, 2011
Amy
rated it:
My kids and I love this book. Hilarious illustrations complement the clever text.
Gotta love salt-and-vinegar chips – the force behind many creative endeavors!
Gotta love salt-and-vinegar chips – the force behind many creative endeavors!
Jan 07, 2010
Dane
rated it:
Those Darn Squirrels! is a very cute story about a lonely old man and his escapades with those darn squirrels that keep eating the bird seed out of the bird feeders.
Aug 06, 2009
Nomi
rated it:
Very funny and imaginative. A grumpy old man can't get rid of the the squirrels in his yard who insist on eating all the bird food and scaring the birds away.
