Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Squirrel's New Year's Resolution
Illustrator: Kathi Ember
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
Albert Whitman & Company, 2010 ISBN: 978-0807575918
It is the first of January, and Squirrel is eager to find out what a New Year’s resolution is, so she goes to ask her friend Bear, who works at the Lonewood Library. Bear explains what a resolution is, and he tells Squirrel that his resolution is “to teach others to read.” Bear plans to begin by teaching Skunk as soon as she is well.
Quickly Squirrel goes to Skunk’s house to see how the sick animal is doing. Squirrel does such a good job cheering Skunk up, that Skunk is able to have her first reading lesson with Bear that very day.
Next Squirrel decides to go and visit her friends Mole and Turtle. Squirrel hopes that the two animals will be able to help her to find a worthwhile resolution. Instead, Squirrel ends up helping Mole and Turtle fulfill their New Year’s resolution, which is to plant a garden. It would appear that all of Squirrel’s friends have resolutions and Squirrel is resolution-less. What is she to do?
This picture book shows young readers that it is a lot easier to come up with a resolution than one might think. With likeable characters and a story that conveys an important message, this is a splendid picture book to share with young children at the beginning of a new year.
