Problem-solver Elliot the squirrel and his buddies are upset that a talking, stuffed squirrel is among the birthday presents given to a young boy at a nearby playground. After the boy’s family leaves, Elliot, with the help of aging rodeo squirrel Scratchy Spurs, concocts a wacky plan to rescue ‘Mr. Nibbles’ from what he concludes will be a dreadful life indoors. Carman, the author of the Land of Elyon books, offers this humorous new series for new chapter-book readers….group dynamics are nicely drawn, and Carman keeps the action brisk and upbeat. Pencil sketches appear on almost every spread, helping younger readers visualize the text, and several book-related activities (not seen in the galley) are planned for the final book. Give this to graduates of Melanie Watts Scaredy Squirrel books, who are not quite ready for Joanna Hurwitz’s Park Pals Adventures.- Kay Weisman

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