Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping

May 13, 2013
Why go camping when you can watch itâThe Joy of Camping, that isâon television? That's the plan for Scaredy Squirrel, who recognizes that such dangers as penguins, quicksand, mosquitoes, and zippers make camping excursions way too scary. But finding a power outlet for his television requires leaving his tree house and, therefore, some careful planning. Scaredy charts out the survival supplies required for his journey across the campground (they include a "really long extension cord," popsicles, and a dictionary) and maps the path he will take, with the electrical cord demarcating his trail from "the comfort zone" to the electrical outlet. When on his quest, a fearsome penguin encounter (who'd have guessed Scaredy was right about that one?) sends him reeling off course, but Scaredy eventually discovers that the wilderness is "meant to be enjoyed up close!" As in the previous books, the small format and tidy, humorously labeled cartoons make Scaredy's world feel especially immediate and accessible. The loveably neurotic (yet highly resourceful) rodent should continue to help anxious readers see their own fears in a different light. Ages 4â8.

March 15, 2013
The world's most timorous rodent returns for another nonadventure. Scaredy Squirrel has no desire to go camping--"the rugged wilderness" is just too darn scary. Why, out in the wilderness he might encounter quicksand, the Three Bears, penguins and zippers, among other perils. So he resolves to enjoy camping vicariously, via his new television. But electrical outlets are few and far between in the woods, and it looks like Scaredy will have to venture out through the wilderness to a nearby campground to plug in. He assembles his survival kit ("really long extension cord," cement, dictionary and fan), dons his "wilderness outfit" (zipper-free), makes a plan, plots a route, does some calisthenics and, when conditions are right (sun = go; volcanic activity = cancel), sets out. All's going well until--gasp--a penguin (a mini-golf fixture) appears in his path! Scaredy does what he does best: panics and then plays dead. When he wakes, it's to a glorious sunset and the realization that the wilderness may not be so bad after all. Watt and Scaredy hit all the right notes, hewing to the now-familiar formula. While the execution may no longer be startlingly original, that's not what Scaredy or his fans are after. The irony of a wilderness-fearing squirrel that lives in the wilderness is especially funny in a camping-avoidance context, and the ending is nothing less than sublime. Welcome back, Scaredy. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2013

K-Gr 2-Scaredy Squirrel has some major anxiety issues, this time with camping. There are all kinds of things to obsess about: skunks, mosquitoes, penguins, quicksand, the Three Bears, and of course, the dreaded zippers. He decides that it's better to stay home and watch television shows about camping. However, Scaredy needs to get his extension cord plugged in, and so must set off on a terrifying trip into the woods to find a power source for his TV set. Fully armed against every possible scenario, he still freaks out when he comes across a penguin, but ultimately manages to enjoy the wilderness up close. The intricate cartoon-style illustrations have loads of humorous details, all depicting Scaredy's many phobias. That he eventually learns to embrace his own version of camping says much for this squirrel's ability to meet his fears head on and overcome them in a creative way. Kids with anxieties should find much to relate to in Scaredy's humorous adventures.-B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2013
Grades 1-3 The need to plug in a new TV forces the squirrel with OCD tendencies into yet another outing. First, though, supplies must be gatheredfrom rubber boots and bug netting to a very long extension cord. And because planning is everything! every conceivable hazard is charted ( Keep a nose out for skunks. If sprayed, overreact! ), a time line and a checklist of weather conditions compiled, and the adjacent campground carefully mapped. Alas, still one can't think of everything. A sudden encounter with a penguin results in a wild scramble that ultimately leads the redoubtable rodent to a new appreciation for the pleasures of camping under the stars. Scaredy Squirrel's meticulous preparations are, once again, captured in squared off, neatly arranged, carefully labeled cartoon illustrations, and his experiences may blaze a trail for readers with a similar aversion to venturing outdoors.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2013
Scaredy Squirrel would rather watch TV inside his tree than be forced to camp in the "rugged" outdoors. However, his elaborate plan to plug in a TV requires more wilderness preparation than camping itself. Timed maneuvers, weather charts, and detailed maps are no good when the unexpected inevitably happens. Watt's simple stylized art and quirky sense of humor make a kid-friendly adventure.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)