EARL THE SQUIRREL

From unnamed origins springs a wonderful, never-before-published book by Freeman, creator of Corduroy. Fans will recognize the distinctive scratchboard art style and amusing perspectives, all black-and-white here except for the bright red splash of a wool scarf. The story begins when Earl the Squirrel’s mother says, “It is high time you went out and learned how to find acorns on your own.” Earl runs off to solicit the help of his human friend Jill who gives him not only an acorn but also a nutcracker—and later, the aforementioned scarf. Earl’s mother is understandably horrified: “Earl, come in here this instant! I want to speak with you!” She deems him the world’s most spoiled squirrel, and sends him scampering to prove himself. Along the way, Earl encounters a great horned owl, a bull named Conrad and a giant oak tree bursting with acorns, enough to make any mother squirrel proud. Preschoolers will love Earl’s stumbling-but-steady journey towards independence, as nothing tastes as sweet as the first acorn a child procures on his or her own. (Picture book. 3-6)