Squirrel's New Year's Resolution

September 13, 2010
Miller and Ember (Substitute Groundhog) reunite to tell the story of Squirrel, who is eager to make a New Year's resolution but isn't sure where to start ("Is it like making a snack?"). Her friend Bear explains the concept ("A resolution is a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others"), but Squirrel is then faced with a new problem—coming up with one. As she visits Skunk, Mole, and Turtle and hears their plans for the New Year, Squirrel's desire to help her friends with their resolutions distracts her from her quest to find one. Ember's thoughtfully detailed acrylic paintings create a friendly woodland setting for this largely conflict-free story. In the end, Squirrel discovers that she had a resolution all along: to help others daily. This story teeters on being overly didactic (a final scene that shows Squirrel holding a sign that reads "I resolve to help someone every day!" is overkill), but it should get kids considering resolutions of their own. Ages 5–8.

October 1, 2010

PreS-Gr 2-On January first, Squirrel hears on the radio that it is a great day to make a resolution. Not knowing how to make one, she visits Bear, the librarian, who tells her that "a resolution is a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others." As Squirrel walks through the woods to think of a resolution, she meets other woodland friends who need help. She cheers up Skunk, who is sick in bed; helps Mole and Turtle find the perfect place to dig a garden; and teaches Porcupine some silly jokes so he can laugh more. At the Hidey Hole Diner, Squirrel is still stumped that she doesn't have a resolution until all of her friends tell how she helped them keep their promises and she learns that her actions speak for themselves. The simple dialogue and predictable plot make this a good read-aloud, and the brightly colored, acrylic cartoons are full of fun details and expression, giving the woodland creatures anthropomorphic characteristics. This introduction to the tradition of resolutions is a strong addition to holiday collections.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2010
Squirrel hopes to ring in the New Year with style. As librarian Bear explains, "When we begin a new year, we make a fresh start." From soothing sick Skunk to teaching Porcupine comedy, Squirrel helps her fellow woodland animals master their own resolutions. Unfortunately for the well-meaning rodent, Squirrel struggles to find a resolution to claim as her very own. She might not know what it is, but everyone else does; as Rabbit tells her, "Your actions are better than words. It looks like you resolved to help someone every day." The sugary-sweet conclusion provides little punch and begs the question, doesn't resolve require some active thought? Ember's illustrations allow the cuddly characters to pop against the bright acrylic spreads, and these anthropomorphized woods (a classic diner perches in a tree, for instance) will appeal to the audience. Those searching for a spot of cheer in the gloomy cold months may find a serviceable holiday selection with Squirrel and her forest friends. (Picture book. 4-8)

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October 15, 2010
Preschool-G Most holiday books are centered around Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, but heres one that takes kids into the New Year. Squirrel doesnt know what a resolution ishappily, Bear the librarian explains it quite well, both to her and to the books audience. Squirrel then visits her forest friends to see what resolutions they have planned and hopes shell be able to think of one for herself. Skunk, Turtle, and Mole all have ideas, but they cant seem to get started until Squirrel gives them a push. She comes away disappointed that nothings come to her, but when she meets her friends later at the diner, they point out that her involvement has led to a resolution to help someone every day. The story line gets a little muddy as the resolutions become more interrelated, but the happy pictures and the (possibly new) knowledge that a resolution is an important, attainable goal carry the day. Perfect for those tired of pumpkins and Santa.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2011
As Squirrel tries to think of her own New Year's resolution, she runs into others who need help with theirs. Having lent a hand to so many friends, she unwittingly makes her decision: to help someone every day. Bland acrylics show anthropomorphic woodland creatures. The borderline preachy plot is nevertheless a decent introduction to the New Year's tradition.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)