Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane

Smithsonian's Backyard

by Victoria Sherrow, Allen Davis (Illustrator)

Winter is near, and Chipmunk is scampering around gathering as many nuts and seeds as possible to take back to her burrow for the long hibernation. Follow Chipmunk as she fends off competitors and prepares for the long, cold winter. Reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy, Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane is a fun and informative story with beautifully detailed illustrations. Watch your children have a blast reading and learning about the animals that live in an American backyard!



Book
- An informative storyline and colorful illustrations
- Appropriate for ages 3-9
- Hardcover 12 x 8 3/4 inches

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Science, Childrens, 1st Grade

31 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Victoria discovered her interest in reading and writing both in early adolescence. In 1978 she moved to Los Angeles and worked two jobs. It was at that time she read Writing for Children and Teenagers by Lee Wyndham , and that is when her fate as a writer was sealed. Victoria had decided to write a children's novel. She went to an annual L.A. conference on writing for children where she learned the basics of marketing and submitting work for writers. Then she started writing.

Her first stories were rejected but she kept strong at it. The year after(1979), she managed to sell a story. Then she sold more. And since she has become a multiple award winning author with over 100 published titles to her name. Sherrow has written poetry, short stories, picture books, and articles.

Victoria has taught writing for over twenty years, reviewed children’s books for newspapers, judged writing contests, and done numerous presentations at schools, libraries, and bookstores. She is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and served as a judge for the SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award.

Reviews

[Angela Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book about how a chipmunk prepares for winter. The illustrations are so detailed, they really add a lot to the story.

[Amethyst Snail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was first introduced to me at a Scholastic Book Fair in the 1990s at my elementary school. It was my favorite fall book, and for years I remembered the illustrations of the sweet fuzzy chipmunk curled up and hibernating with the treasures he collected in anticipation for winter. These Smithsonian Backyard books are sadly out of print. If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on a used copy of Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane count your lucky stars! The illustrations are lovely, the text gently takes you through facts about the slice of life in the day of a chipmunk in Autumn without being at all "textbooky".
Two generations of my family loves this book so far. Please start printing these books again, Smithsonian! They're lovely!

[Octavia Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like these Smithsonian picture books! The illustrations are always reliably good, but even so these are some of the better ones I've seen from them so all credit to Allen Davis there. I really love the autumnal colours on display here - fitting, given that the book is set in autumn as the chipmunk stores food for winter. I think my favourite illustration is the chipmunk in the leaf litter opposite what's either a frog or a toad (I think a toad?). It's not the amphibian that appeals, it's the bright crayon hidden in the leaf litter... in a colour that the artist must have used himself while drawing this!

No chipmunks in NZ, so it's interesting to learn more about them. How much can they really stuff into those little cheek pouches, I wonder?

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane is another perfectly educational Smithsonian's Backyard book. The illustrations are realistic, and the story is as well. It's definitely wordy and a bit long -- works best for book-loving little ones or five- or six-year-olds. Realistic pictures books that actually teach children about nature are actually hard to find, but I always know I can rely on this series to find something good.

[Reading to George · Rating 5 out of 5]

So goooood! Truly the platonic ideal of a “getting ready for winter” book 🍁 The chipmunk illustrations are so lovely and rich, and there is real info about the plants and animals depicted. Slightly tinged by nostalgia since I read this growing up, but it’s still 1010 imo.

[Little Champs]

2914

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book about fall.

[wildct2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and pictures

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I wish they weren’t out of print. Such beautiful illustrations, and cute stories about animals.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations, story is about a chipmunk preparing for winter.

[Taylor Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite nostalgic childhood books to read during autumn 🍂

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an educational story that felt dry. My students liked it but it definitely didn’t stand out as a favorite!

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are terrific as they show a chipmunk preparing for winter. She hurries around gathering seeds and acorns before the first snowfall. This is a good book to have in your library if you're studying animals and hibernation.

[Brittany White · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the best read-aloud, this would be a good book to add to your fall library. Also, it would be a good book to read when discussing hibernation.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

science supplement for classroom comes with tapes for reading listening centers

[MJ]

this copy

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful close up art of the chipmunk. We got this out when the kids were on their Alvin and the Chipmunks kick.

[Natasha Holesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations of this book. It was also a great book to show authors purpose and fact and detail with.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that teaches about chipmunks preparing for the winter. The pictures are so detailed!