Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for Scaredies

Scaredy Squirrel #6

by Mélanie Watt

'Tis the season for worrying, planning, decorating, wrapping, entertaining, carolling and, worst of all, fruitcake! Scaredy Squirrel returns with a quirky safety guide filled with practical tips and nutty step-by-step instructions to help readers prepare for a perfect Christmas. A fun-filled guide sure to appeal to all the Scaredies out there!

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Humor, Childrens, Holiday, Animals, Fiction

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

It was in a design class taught by Michèle Lemieux at the University of Quebec in Montreal that author and illustrator Mélanie Watt created her first picture book, Leon the Chameleon, which was later published by Kids Can Press. Watt went on to create several more books, including the Learning with Animals collection and Augustine, which was named an ALA Notable Children's Book. Watt has also illustrated Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night? and Bearcub and Mama, which won the 2006 IRA Teachers' Choices Project.

Mélanie's best known book Scaredy Squirrel, has won many awards including the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for Children's Picture Book and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. The release of Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, was met with enthusiastic reviews and incredible sales, confirming the arrival of kid lit's newest superstar.

Chester,Chester's Back! and Chester's Masterpiece are about a megalomaniac cat who is every bit the antithesis to Scaredy. Chester has already become a bestseller and shows the breadth and creativity of Mélanie Watt.

Scaredy returns to take a few more tentative steps out of his comfort zone in Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach and Scaredy Squirrel at Night. Mélanie has often noted how the Scaredy Squirrel books helped her work out her own insecurities and fears, as the success of these titles has required her to venture out into the unknown, and like Scaredy she has found the experience truly uplifting.

Mélanie currently resides near Montreal, Quebec.

~From http://www.kidscanpress.com/creators/...

Reviews

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loves the Scaredy Squirrel books but honestly I dread reading them. They take FOR-EV-VER because my son insists I read every single word on each page. But I do it because it makes him happy. I just look forward to the day he can read them independently!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time Scaredy fan, I had high hopes for this book when it first came out, but was disappointed by it: too wordy, no narrative arc, just an endless series of perfunctory lists of Christmas dangers. However, my 14 year-old with autism greets its emergence each year from the storage locker with pleasure, and tonight we finished our annual read aloud, conducted over the course of three days. My opinion hasn't really changed, but even here Melanie Watt does get off some good lines ("Why not mix panic with pleasure?")

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the other Scaredy Squirrel books and I liked this one too, but I’m not quite as fond of is as the other 5 books.

I really enjoy Scaredy Squirrel, initials S.O.S. for a good reason.

This book seems to be longer and have more text than the other books. I think it works best for independent readers reading it to themselves.

I can recommend it to slightly older children and adults, especially those who celebrate Christmas, and those who’ve enjoyed the other books in the series, and it would make a good Christmas gift or a gift for an occasion that happens before but close to (within a couple months of) December 25th. I wouldn’t recommend it for very young children; I don’t think they’ll find it amusing.

There are lots of great little jokes on many of the pages and it is a great idea, but I just didn’t find much of it hilarious. The list format kind of distanced me. I did like that it has chapters. And the illustrations are cute, and work for this book/series.

Grinch that I am: only 2 ½ stars, upped to 3 because, after all, it is the wonderful Scaredy Squirrel, and there is some good material in here.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas festivities hold countless dangers for the unwary, but fortunately the list-making sciurine hero of Mélanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel picture-books is here to offer advice and to shepherd holiday celebrants through the many pitfalls of the season! Divided into eight brief chapters, devoted to such things as holiday gifts, crafts, and characters, Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas alerts readers to the dangers posed by mistletoe - with all the scary things out there, from drooling chihuahuas to piranhas, it might be best to avoid this holiday tradition altogether! - and debates the pros and cons of such things as fruit-cake and candy canes. It's a holiday guide like no other, with plenty of advice for the neurotic careful amongst us...

Although I did enjoy this new book devoted to the doings of that perpetually panicked squirrel, I find that it was not quite as engaging as previous entries in the series. It's quite a bit longer, and less of a story than a collection of amusing lists and anecdotes, so perhaps the format just works better when there is a central story around which all the shenanigans are organized? In any case, fans of the character will still find much here to amuse them, and timid young children (if they haven't already encountered Scaredy in his other adventures) will find a kindred spirit.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holidays + humor = a lot of fun
3.75 stars, this graphic novel about Scaredy Squirrel and his friends could have been a 30 minute Christmas special when I was young fifty plus years ago.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really is just a detailed guide, no plot. I do like the (pre-loaded!) toothbrushes on the dessert table, though! And the gift guide, what to buy for different types of friends, is so funny... even funnier if I remembered who all the characters were, assuming they're all from previous books. And the Naughty/ Nice list.

But overall I don't think this is therapeutic, for those of us with anxiety issues who loved the first book because it was actually surprisingly helpful as it was empathetic. This is played for laughs, unfortunately. Fortunately, it is funny. Worth getting from the library if you're interested.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely read to me by Ben

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've enjoyed the Scaredy Squirrel series of stories and this is a fun Christmas-themed book.

Scaredy is just as nervous and precautious as ever and has created a Christmas Safety Guide for all to follow. The book is a bit longer than other editions and older children will best appreciate and understand the subtle wit. Younger children will likely lose interest. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and have fun details.

We enjoyed reading this book together and our girls loved the reference to Chester. It's a fun book to get us in the mood for the Christmas season.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel presents a safety guide for surviving the Chrsitmas season. This book is a lot longer than other Scaredy Squirrel books but it covers all things Christmas from decorations to food to gifts to Santa and more. The story is divided into chapters maaking this a good book for newly independent readers who are currently exploring the easy reader sections.

I laughed out loud many times while reading this book. I would suggest just reading small sections if trying to read this one aloud, it's too long for an audience, but perfect for sharing one-on-one. Definitely one of my new favorite Christmas book!

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel provides a host of information on how to stay safe this Christmas.

This isn't really a story, more like a collection of infographics. Some of them are serious and provide good safety tips for the holidays, others are just silliness. I didn't like this one as much as Scaredy's stories. Some of the humor just fell flat. There were moments of brilliance, but overall, wasn't what I had hoped it would be.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why not mix panic with pleasure?" - Scaredy Squirrel

You just summed up my typical holiday season.

Super hilarious book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain characters we naturally celebrate and gravitate towards in the library. Scaredy Squirrel is one of them. He is so special to many of my students. They love his cheesy grin (we all try to smile just like him,) love his insecurities and the ridiculous ways he carries on about hygiene. And this librarian will admit that she loves SS because she is a lot like him in many ways. This SS is set up differently than others because it is smaller in size and could be considered a chapter book. Therefore, it will not be a good read aloud with my kids like other SS books have been. But the kids will still love it! There are just too many little things to take notice of that will make it hard to read aloud.

Melanie Watt is a fav of mine because she adds so much subtle humor to her stories with SS for adults to enjoy. However, my kids adore him so he is a treat for all of us. I look forward to having this book as part of our collection and am certain it will go out long after the Christmas tinsel has been put away. :)

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for my un-biased review.

Scaredy Orville Squirrel rocks! SOS has an uncanny ability to teach children not to be obsessive, compulsive, or scared through his own paranoid adventures. Through most of the story one would think the opposite and that perhaps SOS was giving the wrong impression but eventually we realize that what he was scared of was in fact harmless.

The pages are packed with information, guides, and helpful lists that teach the children to be organized and prepared. Let's not forget the humor and witty superlatives. Laughs were had by all, which included my son, daughter, and 32 yr. old wife. Well, and of course, me.

In the end, SOS finally realizes the one thing he forgot to tell us about Christmas. That we should not forget to have fun. And you know what? He's right.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Christmas time, and Scaredy Squirrel must prepare his safety guide. Scaredy Squirrel includes lots of info in his guide, including tips and instructions about decorations, sweets, gifts, characters, and fun.

A silly and fun Scaredy Squirrel book.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very humorous. A MUST buy. I cannot keep this series on the shelf. It is VERY popular. Recommended for ES. Grades K-3

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel is completely prepared for Christmas. He has a plan, He has his safety items, He has his countdown list of things to do. He is prepared for advanced craftiness. He has a list of what can and what shouldn't be used as decorations (e.g. not red dragons and green poison ivy). Gift ideas for the difficult individuals in your life. Ten places not to hang mistletoe, because there are scenarios you don't want to get kissed. Holiday outfit suggestions. If you get over panic for any reason, you can play dead for two hours and then when all is well make snow angels before getting up.

My Scaredy Squirrel Christmas Horoscope is:
Virgo- Everyone Thinks you're an angel. Be proud of yourself and sing!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

#7 in the series, this Scaredy Squirrel book is a bit different: completely how-to manual and longer than the rest, it is full of funny gags and hilarious takes on Christmas Scaredy-style. I thought it was a little long, but maybe I was just tired. A great theme to showcase the main character's signature humor. Enjoyable for kids and adults. A great comedic addition to your holiday library.

[Becca Lehew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Scaredy Squirrel books! However, this particular book in the series did not quit meet my expectations. It is longer than the others, which made some of my students lose interest.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

hahaha This book was too stinking cute!! I loved it. I took the personality quiz "The Scaredy Christmas Quiz" inside and found out the Safety Guide ahead was in fact for me. This was highly entertaining little read.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel is at it again, but this time he is preparing for Christmas, and so there are even more checklists and things to be worried about. But remember, if all else fails, play dead. An adorable addition to the Scaredy Squirrel books, and we loved it!

[jennyreadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Scaredy Squirrel, but for a read aloud, skip this one. It's way too busy visually, and there really isn't a storyline. It does live up to its name: as a safety guide. Skip this for read aloud and use it as a mentor text for writing field guides or reading independently.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel gives all sorts of advice on Christmas safety.

With lots of infographics, I feel like an upper elementary reader would get the humor and some of the vocabulary. Not really a fun book for the real young ones, in my opinion.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scaredy Squirrel can make anything scary! 🤣🤣🤣

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. Long.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was cute but seems more geared towards adults.

[Smriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think the squirrel is sqared of everything

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it is funny because the squirrel thinks about scaredy thing, and he makes a plan, but things never follows his plan.

[Nicte Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo disfruté de principio a fin. Muy ingenioso

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the humour, but they aren’t a great bedtime book.