I Love this book and so will any fun-loving animal and nature lover! At my school, we teachers volunteer to run book discussion groups for students after school 4 times each year. About a month before the book discussion we "pitch" the books to entice readers to join. Descriptions and a sign up are sent home and students decide if they want to participate and what book(s) they would like to read. I chose this as my first this year. I saw it in a book store and was immediately drawn in by cover illustration, title, and "lead," as well as the photo of the author on the book jacket posing on a park bench with the squirrel who may have been the inspiration for the story. Here is the blurb I gave to students:
Nuts to You
Lynn Rae Perkins
The tale (or is it tail?) begins when an astounded human sitting on a park bench discovers that the squirrel sharing the bench with her can speak. Human. After the initial shock wears off, she has a conversation with the squirrel. He hints at having had a great adventure, and she has some time on her hands, so she decides to listen.
“Amid the thick and intertwining boughs, among the limbs, branches, and leafy twigs of our grove,” he began, “the buzzpaths ran…” He paused. “Actually,” he said, ”I think I’ll start with the wolf this time.” His epic adventure begins with Chapter 1: The Squirrel Who Cried Wolf. Yes, you might guess that the story begins when a squirrel faces a predator. He has a miraculous escape, faces obstacles, saves the day, lives to tell his story, and ends with “Nuts to you, my friend," he thought. "Nuts to us all.”
You will enjoy some surprises and a few laughs as you read this funny, heart warming, clever, suspenseful, and superbly well-crafted story by a Newbury Medal author, who just happens to love peanut butter. (End of "blurb")
We will have a "squirrel-bration" during our meeting. The special snack will be "acorns," which are actually Nutter Butter bites attached to Hershey Kisses with chocolate frosting and a chocolate chip on top (recipe found online). The book discussion groups take place simultaneously, then we all meet to share our experiences with each other. I have ordered some plush squirrels to represent the four main characters. We will use a plush dog and hawk to act out the scene during which the main squirrel, Jed, relaxes every muscle in his body, which is a technique from the ancient squirrel martial art of "Hai Tchree," escapes the hawk's talons, plummets to earth, bounces off a dog, and lands in a huge pile of leaves. The author offers a free image download from the book on her web site and invites fans to copy it onto iron on sheets. I purchased several t-shirts at Michaels, which were on sale 2/$5.00 plus the 15% teacher discount, so we will be able to wear a group tee. The web site also offers knitting directions for an acorn hat, which I am attempting to knit in time for the event.
Getting back to the book, it is rife with examples of author's craft, which include strong leads of every type, descriptive language and phrases, a great mix of action, thought, dialogue and description, speech bubbles, author's notes, footnotes, asides, epilogues (5!), and is full of beautiful and meaningful illustrations by the author throughout.
At the end of this roller coaster ride of a story, I thought the author's message was very clear. I laughed to myself as I realized that I had just read an overgrown persuasive essay;)
I dare you not to love every moment you spend sharing this with a young reader....and, oh yeah, "Nuts to you, my friend; nuts to us all..." Thank you, Lynne Rae Perkins.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
 |
Frequently bought together
$6.59
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2016
