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bezoar's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book out loud to two small mixed-age groups students in elementary school. The younger students weren't as engaged with this story. I think some of that is because of the vocabulary. Students who know how to use context clues and look at the pictures to find out what's going on in the story have an easier time with words they don't know, but students who did not have those skills weren't as engaged.
I liked the way Pearl invents different ways to keep the squirrel from eating the peanuts, but the "reveal" that the squirrel was a girl felt a bit weird to me. The gender of the squirrel hadn't been a part of the story up until that point. To me the more important information was that the squirrel was a mother and was getting the peanuts for her babies. I would have done those two pages differently, but other than that I liked this book!
I liked the way Pearl invents different ways to keep the squirrel from eating the peanuts, but the "reveal" that the squirrel was a girl felt a bit weird to me. The gender of the squirrel hadn't been a part of the story up until that point. To me the more important information was that the squirrel was a mother and was getting the peanuts for her babies. I would have done those two pages differently, but other than that I liked this book!
erine's review against another edition
3.0
Bright, cartoonish, cheerful illustrations complement a tale of two foes. Pearl's initial upbeat engineering skills take hit after hit as one of her three birdfeeders is continually pilfered by an industrious squirrel. But not to worry, Pearl does not give up. After watching the feats of this mama squirrel, Pearl decides to change her objective. Instead of three birdfeeders, she adapts her offerings to two birdfeeders and one tremendous squirrel obstacle course.
I love our neighborhood squirrels -- they are loud and scampery, curious and entertaining, and they clean up our black walnuts. We had one incident of a squirrel in the house earlier this year which I am not anxious to repeat, but watching them in their natural habitat is endlessly entertaining. This homage to the intrepid squirrel is endearing, not the least because Pearl herself is both clever and unrelenting.
A selection of squirrel facts is included after the story.
I love our neighborhood squirrels -- they are loud and scampery, curious and entertaining, and they clean up our black walnuts. We had one incident of a squirrel in the house earlier this year which I am not anxious to repeat, but watching them in their natural habitat is endlessly entertaining. This homage to the intrepid squirrel is endearing, not the least because Pearl herself is both clever and unrelenting.
A selection of squirrel facts is included after the story.
savoringstories's review against another edition
4.0
Pearl decides to build three different bird feeders with three different treats. It turns out peanuts attract squirrels and not the birds for which she had hoped. She tries making it more and more difficult for the squirrel to get the nuts, until she discovers something about the squirrel that results in an unlikely admiration. This is a cute, enjoyable tale that your little nature lover may love.
mldavisreads's review
4.0
Picture Book. Pearl sets out three different bird feeders, hoping to attract an assortment of birds to her yard. But as many who have tried this know, she also attracted a determined squirrel. Frustrated by the squirrel, she tries to outsmart it. First she simply raises the pole, but then she conjures a challenge for the squirrel. When the squirrel completes the obstacle course, Pearl gives in to admiring her persistence and cleverness. A fun story about inventions, birdwatching, and respecting squirrels.
tashrow's review
4.0
Pearl built three bird feeders for her backyard. She filled one with suet, one with seeds, and the third with nuts. But no birds wanted the nuts! Instead, she attracted a squirrel. The squirrel took all the nuts. Peal extended the pole for the feeder, but the squirrel just ran right up it. Then the feeder fell to the ground and broke. But Peal had a new plan, a network of obstacles to keep the squirrel at bay. But that too didn’t work as the squirrel bested each obstacle with ease. Pearl was very impressed and noticed that this was a mother squirrel caring for her kits. Now Pearl has a backyard of bird feeders plus one amazing squirrel obstacle course!
Playful in tone, this picture book shows the power and potential of invention even if it ends up being foiled by a squirrel. Children will love seeing a girl who invents things do something as dynamic and interesting as a squirrel obstacle course. Even better, the course elements make sense as objects you would find in a garage and repurpose.
The art is simple and inviting, showing both the serene backyard of Pearl’s home and also the wild antics of the squirrel. Pearl’s tenacity and trying to beat the squirrel is shown in the various ways she tries to keep the nuts out the the squirrel’s reach, wiggling and eventually toppling over.
This picture book takes nature plus STEM and invents something fresh. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Playful in tone, this picture book shows the power and potential of invention even if it ends up being foiled by a squirrel. Children will love seeing a girl who invents things do something as dynamic and interesting as a squirrel obstacle course. Even better, the course elements make sense as objects you would find in a garage and repurpose.
The art is simple and inviting, showing both the serene backyard of Pearl’s home and also the wild antics of the squirrel. Pearl’s tenacity and trying to beat the squirrel is shown in the various ways she tries to keep the nuts out the the squirrel’s reach, wiggling and eventually toppling over.
This picture book takes nature plus STEM and invents something fresh. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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