Book talk: Fun-loving Bird and paranoid Squirrel don't get along at first. Then Bird injures his wing and accidentally destroys Squirrel's hoard of nuts. When faced with the possibility of starving to death or migrating south with Bird, Squirrel chooses the road trip. When they get to know each other a little better...they really get on each others' nerves. The road trip begins to sound like an awful idea. If Squirrel hadn't left at least he'd be starving to death at home. Now they're on the road and they have no food, no place to sleep, and no umbrella in the middle of a storm. But what does bird think they need more than anything else? A theme song!
Rocks my socks: This is a fairly standard odd couple story but it is well executed. From the acorn helmet that Squirrel wears to protect himself to the way Bird makes bee puns even as he's being stung. Squirrel is so tightly wound and Bird is so zany that it's impossible not to find their annoyance with each other entertaining. Even though I knew whenever Cat appeared he'd be foiled in some Wile E Coyote-esque way and appear more bedraggled the next time, it still cracked me up every time. The spot-on facial expressions and bright artwork help convey a lot of humour as well.
Rocks in my socks: Despite no tune being given, I got my own version of the Bird and Squirrel theme song stuck in my head.
Every book its reader: I'd give this to kids looking for a funny story 2nd grade and up.
Extras:
James Burks has his own website with a portfolio, blog, and instagram pictures
Kids will enjoy this tutorial on how to draw squirrel
Source: School library
Bird and Squirrel On the Run! by James Burks: buy it or check it out today!
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