Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt

February 3, 2011 · Filed under 3 year olds, Animals, General · Tagged kids can press

Daughter’s age when read: 3 years old

This is the second Scaredy Squirrel book we have read and this one was a huge hit. If you haven’t read this series it’s about this squirrel who is afraid of pretty much everything and always has a plan on how to deal with different situations. In this one he does not want to go to the beach because he’s afraid of things like pirates, pinching crabs, hordes of jelly fish, etc.  So he instead plans on building his own private beach.  After he is done he realizes he is missing one thing-the sound of the ocean.  So he decides he will go to the real beach, find a sea shell and bring it back to his own private beach so he can listen to the sound of the ocean.  Of course he has this elaborate plan but something goes wrong. When he gets to the beach he’s surrounded by people and is surprised to find he actually enjoys being a part of the crowd.

The best part of this book was the illustrations.  There are so many things to talk about as we go over his emergency plan and the map he draws.  She also finds it funny when we read what happens to Scaredy Squirrel when he plays dead (this is always his last resort when in trouble).  The ending was her favorite when he realizes that the shell he finally brings home with him has a crab living in it. I was amazed after we read it the first time she remembered when I said hermit crabs live in shells and she told her dad that the next time we read the book together. If you are looking for those giggles and lots of fun this series is one to check out.