Squirrel Needs a Break

By: Kristen Remenar / Illustrated by: Matt Faulkner Every parent needs a break sometimes! Single parent Squirrel learns to lean on friends in this heartwarming and funny picture book about family and community. Squirrel is at his wits' end after a long winter inside with his kits. His friends—the other woodland creatures—decide to work together to give him a much-deserved break. They hatch a plan to take turns helping Squirrel relax while they entertain the kits. Squirrel enjoys a day of self care, as the kits play, bake, and do fun activities with the other animals. It doesn't take long for Squirrel's friends to realize just how hard he works each day. Full of humor, this book embodies the message that it takes a village—or, in this case, a forest—to raise a family! If you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: Groundhog's Dilemma In the Neighborhood The One Day House [TABS] Look Inside Downloadables Download the Cover Author & Illustrator Kristen Remenar, author Kristen Remenar is a children's librarian, writer, teacher, and national speaker on literacy. She is married to author/illustrator Matt Faulkner. She is the author of Groundhog's Dilemma. Read more about Kristen. Matt Faulkner, illustrator Award-winning children's book author and illustrator Matt Faulkner has illustrated twenty-nine books and written and illustrated seven more since he began his career back in 1985, including Groundhog's Dilemma, Thank You, Sarah, Gaijin: An American Prisoner of War, and Because I Could Not Stop My Bike. Matt is married to author and librarian Kristen Remenar. Read more about Matt. Awards & Honors Coming soon! Editorial Reviews Children's Literature They say it takes a village to raise a child or children, but in this story it takes a forest. Squirrel emerges from his home in a tree worn out from an extra six weeks spent with his three kits waiting for the arrival of spring. HIs friends, sparrow, groundhog, hare, and owl notice that Squirrel is tired and grumpy, and in need of a parenting break. They devise a plan in which one of them does a social activity with Squirrel while another friend looks after the kits. Hare learns that kits are enthusiastic but messy cooks. Sparrow learns that it is hard to give three kits a calming bath. Owl learns that kits do not like to engage in meditation, and Groundhog loses the three kits when distracted. While Squirrel's friends are learning the challenges of single parenting, Squirrel goes to breakfast, the spa, a yoga class and a ballgame. At first he is completely content kit free, but as the day goes on he begins to miss his children. The animals are skillfully drawn with faces full of human emotions which children will recognize. Young readers will recognize themselves in the joyful antics of the kits who are not being naughty, but are just being children full of enthusiastic curiosity which may often leave messy results. Squirrel is thankful for his brief time off and the help of his friends who remind him that they are like family members and are there to help him raise the kits. This book will make a nice read-aloud both at home or school. There is much in this story for both children and adults to connect with. Details Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-62354-370-9 Ages: 4–7 Page count: 32 11 x 81/2 Publication date: May 7, 2024 [/TABS]