Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive

Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive is the third book in the junior graphic novel series, “Scaredy’s Nutty Adventures.” In this installment, Scaredy Squirrel tries to prepare for the perfect Christmas.

Scaredy loves Christmas and plans for it months in advance. Scaredy’s friends Ivy, Tim, and Rash, join him in creating the perfect Christmas while also dealing with some of Scaredy’s perfectionist tendencies and anxieties. As in most Scaredy Squirrel books, the protagonist’s plans take into account ways to avoid perceived threats like germs and leprechauns (in this case elves). However, more of this book is devoted to Scaredy’s specific plans and his interactions with his friends, especially the rabbit, Ivy, who tries to support and reason with Scaredy, and his friend Rash, who is “gutsy” and approaches life with enthusiasm.

Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive is full of slapstick humour and has a sweet storyline – unlike the Gingerbread house Scaredy makes with glue, marbles and varnish so it can “last for decades” (p. 42). Like other Scaredy Squirrel stories, this one would be great for adults and young people to read together and spur conversations about the child’s own thought process and behaviour in stressful situations.

As a junior graphic novel, this book is well structured so children can read it independently or with an adult. Most of the text is in clearly defined uppercase letters. The order of the graphic text is clear, and the book is divided into six small chapters in which Scaredy tackles problems like decorating, building a gingerbread house, making Santa feel welcome, and wrapping gifts for his friends.

Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive is a great holiday addition to the “Scaredy Squirrel Nutty Adventure” series.