Guess What!?-An Unlimited Squirrels Book

Unlimited Squirrels #4

by Mo Willems

From Mo Willems, creator of the revolutionary, award-winning, best-selling Elephant & Piggie books, comes this breakout beginning-reader series, Unlimited Squirrels.
An ensemble cast of Squirrels, Acorns, and pop-in guests hosts a page-turning extravaganza. Each book features a funny, furry adventure AND bonus jokes, quirky quizzes, nutty facts, and so, so many Squirrels.
In Guess What!? , Zoom Squirrel is excited to go to the beach. But what will happen when Zoomy and pals finally get there? Do you know more about going to the beach than the Squirrels do? You will by the end of this book!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Juvenile

96 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.

In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.

The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."

Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.

Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Reviews

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unlimited Squirrels series is one of my favorites for early readers who need brief text but exciting characters and lots of fun. Kids will love the jokes at the end!

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to the Mo Willems grouping. The kids will love the humor of this book.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a squirrel anticipating a day at the beach and coping with expectations vs. reality. Mo Willems fills out the book with lots of corny little jokes that put a smile on my face.

This isn't Willems' best series, but it has its moments.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helping young listeners and readers conclude that looking forward to an adventure can be just as valuable as the actual experience is a difficult concept. However, Willems' zany squirrels manage to convey this truth with "waves" of humor and laugh-out-loud moments. The inclusion of so many varied, visual elements--as well as the nonfiction information, joke sections, and website companion--make this an engaging, "learning launchpad" for elementary audiences.

Publication Date: 2021
Format: Picture book; book 4 in the "Unlimited Squirrels" series
Elements: Bold illustrations and typeface; dialogue; wordplay
Connection/Topics: beach, summer anticipation, planning

Website: https://pigeonpresents.com/unlimiteds...
*interactive media related to book

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always think that Mo Willems can do no wrong. And while I still think this book is cute and fun, it is not as good as the pigeon series or elephant and piggie. I almost feel like Willems is attempting to do so much in the book that it feels a little bit disjointed. I will definitely still order for my library though!

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite so far. Nothing particularly special, the humor (particularly the last few pages) just really worked for me.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to Julianna. Our other new favorite author. She gives it 5 stars. She especially liked the beach song at the end.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreaders, how much do you know about going to the beach? Might you know more than the "unlimited squirrels" in this book?

In "Guess What!?", Zoom Squirrel prepares excitedly to go to the beach. But what will happen when "Zoomy" and his pals finally get there?

NOTE: Evidently, calling a squirrel "Zoom" isn't cute enough for Mo Willems. He also needs to call his character "Zoomy." At which point, the sweetness is so overwhelming that my teeth start to hurt.

ANOTHER NOTE: I do not generally like books that read like cartoon panels, between hardcovers. And yes, I'm aware of anime. And no, I don't believe this tiny little picture book rises to the level of anime.

Here's a sample of the cartoon-style writing here:

I do NOT
KNOW.

I do not know
ANYTHING
about the
beach!

And yet...

RATING THIS BOOK

My policy is to rate books on the basis of what reactions would be for the intended readers. Seems to me, these would be very young readers who are working hard to sound out their words, and they're clueless about what makes a story believable, let alone elegant or well written or even slightly thoughtful.

On their behalf, FIVE STARS.

It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book which manages to disguise learning with tons of fun! Readers will learn a bit about the beach but they will learn even more about anticipation and disappointment.
Zoom Squirrel is very excited about an upcoming trip to the beach -- but what does a squirrel do at the beach? And which is better - anticipating something exciting? Or the actual experience?
I anticipate this will receive some Eisner Award love - but I may be disappointed.
I would pair this with the Fan Brothers newest - It Fell from the Sky. Spider is initially disappointed but anticipates that other things will fall from the sky and acts accordingly!

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these Unlimited Squirrels books. I don't think they are amazing anymore the way I did when I first read the very first one I Lost My Tooth!, but still an enjoyable read. The A-corny jokes are amusing or at least groan-inducing. The squirrels are cute. The books are educational in an easily digestible way with the page of Beach Facts and the gentle lesson of the Big Story. I still can't keep track of which squirrels are which, but that's okay.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade. Easy reader. Humor.

Story: Squirrels go to the beach, tell jokes and learn new words in this fun easy reader book.

Language: Full page illustrations with short texts, mostly dialogue. One major story with jokes and vocabulary lessons in shorter sections at the end.

Characters: Squirrels, whose names are shown on the end pages.

Another Mo Willems hit, this actually gave me Ben Clancy vibes. Good simple fun, made me smile and laugh.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoomy is going to the beach. He is letting EVERYONE know and doing a daily countdown. But will Zoomy actually enjoy the beach?

A silly easy read that many kids will identify with. I'm glad that Zoomy finds something to be glad about. The jokes after the story are groan-inducing but kids will love them. And I liked the little bits of nonfiction info about beaches for kids. A fun and funny beach read.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mo Willems... a Favorite children's author. Unlimited Squirrels... Hysterical. Guess What... a wonderfully funny book about going to the beach... great for this time of year when school is almost out and parents often take summer trips to the beach. Getting this in before we embark on a summer of reading Dinosaur books for our Unearth a Story theme. Great for read aloud and story time.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those zany squirrels are back. Zoom squirrel spends the week counting down the days before his trip to the beach, and Research Rodent looks up a big word in the dictionary. Fun and humor abound, and let's not forget a corny joke or two.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run from the Man who brought you Gerald and Piggie. This is #4 in the unlimited squirrel series. Greta is a reluctant reader - but she is willing to read aloud with this series. These not only make her laugh, but build her confidence and reading stamina.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read with its funny cheerful characters. It's divided into sections: The BIG Story!; Acorn-y Joke!; Research Rodent!; Another A-Corny Joke!; Guessing Game!; Bonus Acorn-y Joke!; The Tale End. Great illustrations.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoom squirrel is going to the beach in 7 days. As the countdown begins, what will the beach have in store for Zoom and all the other squirrels? There is both anticipation and disappointment, quite literally, waiting.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The squirrels are back and heading for a day at the beach. Readers see their preparation and day of "fun." Willems offers jokes and sidebar stories in between chapters.
Fun for lower elementary readers.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could read music so I could 'hear' the Beach Song. How can Willems write books that appeal so much not just to children, but to the inner children of jaded seniors? Wonderfully witty with lots of heart.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, this book is filled with humor, education and fun! I especially liked the actual music at the end of the book for the "going to the beach" song.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters of Mo Willems’ stories.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the squirrels is excited about going to the beach in 7 days. This is for beginning readers, has lots of pictures, and was quite enjoyable to me as well.

[Y.Poston]

cute

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, so much fun . . . and the pages at the end are a great addition.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable book by Willems.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute simple funny story for early readers. I love the characters, the simplicity of the layout and text, and the formatting of the book almost as if it is a chapter book.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun. This could be a good book to get kids talking about feelings.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant story with hilarious illustrations and lots (a)corny jokes. Mo Willems is the master of picture books that preschoolers and adults can enjoy together.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the squirrel books - very fun format, and I like how each squirrel makes an appearance. I also like the existence of 'flappy squirrel.'