Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

Stein’s latest picture book is an uproarious read aloud and will be a welcome addition to any storytime.  Mama Squirrel knows that all sorts of creatures want to eat her baby squirrels, but she won’t let that happen.  She scolds all sorts of creatures away with her fierce “Chook, chook, chook!”  Cats, dogs, owls, even humans scatter at her determination to protect her babies.  Until one day when a bear comes to her tree.  Mama Squirrel tries scolding, she tries throwing nuts, but the bear stays and then says that he will eat her entire tree!  Mama Squirrel has one last trick though, and it’s an amazing one!

This book is one amazing read aloud.  It is designed specifically to be shared aloud and I think will shine with a good sized group in particular.  The scolding noise of the mother squirrel will have everyone “chook, chook chooking” along with her.  The result will be one of my favorite sorts of story times: loud shared love of a story. 

Stein’s art will work well with a group too.  Her fierce defense of her babies projects straight from the page from her lowered brows and the set of her entire body.  The illustrations have a rough edge to them that adds to their appeal.

Get this into your pile of books to share at your next story time, or keep it stored like fall nuts for the next time you need a great read aloud.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Penguin.