Scaredy Squirrel
Scaredy Squirrel is the titular protagonist and main character of the Scaredy Squirrel children’s book series. The books often follow the same format: Scaredy identifies his fears, shows how he avoids them at all costs, and develops contingency plans, which usually involve an emergency kit and playing dead till the threat has passed. Scaredy is inevitably faced with the fears he tries so hard to avoid, eventually learning that it is not as bad as he initially imagined. However, he only slightly alters his strict daily routines after these experiences.
The Scaredy Squirrel series is written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt and the first book was published in March 2006 by Kids Can Press. The series is told using large pictures with simple descriptive text.
A sequel, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend was published in March 2007 by Kids Can Press. In it, Scaredy decides to leave his nut tree and find the perfect friend; he must be germ free, toothless and completely predictable. With meticulous planning and preparation Scaredy sets off with rubber gloves and air freshener in hand, but the friend he finds is not what he had in mind at all.
A third Scaredy Squirrel title, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, was published in March 2008.[1] In this book, Scaredy Squirrel has the perfect plan to have some 100% safe fun in the sun by building a beach getaway under his nut tree, complete with a germ-free inflatable pool and plastic flamingo. Still, a crucial part of the beach is missing — the sound of the ocean - so with his meticulous map and worst-case scenario contingency plan, Scaredy sets off to bring home the perfect seashell. But he's keeping an eye out for menacing seagulls, pinching lobsters, scary sharks, falling coconuts and camera-shy sea monsters.
A fourth Scaredy Squirrel book, Scaredy Squirrel at Night, was published in February 2009.[2] In the book, Scaredy Squirrel does not want to go to sleep for fear of dreaming about things such as dragons, fairies, ghosts, bats, unicorns, and polka-dot monsters. However, one night Scaredy is forced to take drastic measures when his horoscope says that at midnight his dreams will come true. What Scaredy ends up confronting is much different than fairies and polka-dot monsters.
A fifth Scaredy Squirrel book, "Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party", was published in 2011. In the book, Scaredy Squirrel does not want to have a big birthday party for fear of it being spoiled by clownfish, ants, ponies, Bigfoot, confetti or porcupines. He was going to invite only himself to his birthday party, but someone sends him a happy birthday card and Scaredy thinks he has to return the favor and invite him to his party. His Buddy comes to the party with a bunch of other dogs. Scaredy realizes it is much more fun when there are a lot of party friends.
Things Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of
Scaredy Squirrel
Green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, sharks
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend
Walruses, rabbits, beavers, piranhas, Godzilla
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
Pirates, jellyfish, lobsters, sea monsters, seagulls, falling coconuts
Scaredy Squirrel at Night
Dragons, fairies, ghosts, bats, unicorns, polka-dot monsters
Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party
Clownfish, ants, Bigfoot, confetti, ponies, porcupines
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
Skunks, mosquitoes, quicksand, the Three Bears, penguins, zippers
Awards
American
Won:
ALA’s Notable Children’s Books
Independent Publisher Book Awards – Picture Books 6 and under (Bronze)
Children's and YA Bloggers' Literary Awards - Cybils
NCTE Notable Children’s Books in Language Arts
Shortlisted:
ReadBoston 2006 Best Read Aloud Book Award
ForeWord Book of the Year Award
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
North Carolina Children's Book Award – Picture Book
Canadian
Won:
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for Children’s Picture Book
OLA Blue Spruce Award 2007 & 2008
Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award
Shortlisted:
CBA Libris Award for Children’s Author of the Year
International
Won:
"Le Prix de la Librairie Millepage" in Vincennes, 2006 (France) ky intrtament nelvana Richard & Judy Book Club Selection (UK)
TV series
Nelvana has 52 11-minute animated episodes in development to air on YTV (Canada), Cartoon Network (USA/Australia/New Zealand/Latin America), and POP (UK), Disney XD (France/Poland).[3][4] The English version of the show's titular character is voiced by Terry McGurrin.
References
Text
- Watt, Melanie (2006). Scaredy Squirrel. Kids Can Press. ISBN 978-1-55337-959-1
- Watt, Melanie (2007). Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend. Kids Can Press. ISBN 978-1-55453-181-3
- Watt, Melanie (2008). Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1-55453-225-4
- Watt, Melanie (2009). Scaredy Squirrel at Night. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1-55453-288-9
- Watt, Melanie (2011). Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1-55453-468-5
- Watt, Melanie (2012). Scaredy Squirrel Prepares For Christmas. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1554534692
- Watt, Melanie (2013). Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1894786867
- Watt, Melanie (2013). Scaredy Squirrel Prepares For Halloween. Kids Can Press.ISBN 978-1894786874