This graphic novel chapter book is preposterous, hilarious, and full on fun. If you haven't heard of Scaredy Squirrel, the world's most famous atypical squirrel, you must have been hiding under a rock, or maybe a nut.

Scaredy is called Scaredy for a reason. If something exists, this squirrel will find some way to worry about it. Yet at the same time as Scaredy is full of anxiety, the little rodent is also ingenious, creative and an expert risk calculator. If all else fails, there is always the play dead option.

The prologue consists of a covid type security quiz. (Also, the end papers are of rolls of toilet paper.) You must achieve a score of 1 - 5 to proceed. I think it's impossible to fail, but you never know. What dire things might happen if you continue?

Chapter one finds Scaredy in his tree. He worries about aliens, mammoths, lumberjacks, woodpeckers, cats and termites. At the same time, he has stratagems for dealing with each of these eventualities. The only problem with these safeguards is that they collect dust. So every once in a while our little critter has to don his dust fighting outfit, drag out his vacuum cleaner, and clean off the safety equipment. Even if the hose gets clogged, Scaredy has a plan.

Unfortunately, this time, he sets of a series of events that lead to an unforeseen disaster and Scaredy playing dead.

Chapter two finds our friendly rodent hungry. The previous disaster knocked all the nuts off the tree. Terrible dangers await him if he decides to leave his tree and pick some up. Rocks, puddles, cacti and other hazards wait for an unsuspecting squirrel. Scaredy decides to order takeout instead. There are just so many choices.

When his pizza arrives, Scaredy he puts on his ground level get up. Just when he is about to grab a slice, an unexpected event startles him. He scrambles to safety and once again, plays dead.

In the final chapter Scaredy has to figure out if it is worthwhile taking risks to make a new friend.

Will he end up playing dead again?

I liked so much about this book. I adore Watt's illustrations. I like the puns and slapstick humour. At one point Scaredy wonders, "Ivy might be poisonous! (name makes me itchy.)" I like that Scaredy Squirrel playfully models how to cope for kids with similar neuroses. I like that he shows the rest of us what living with these anxieties is like. I like that Ivy, and maybe even Timber, accept him just as he is.

I'll be looking forward to the next in this new series.

Preorder this for your libraries. Make it two or three copies. Young readers are going to love it. So will their big people.

4.5/5

I never really rate comics/picture books over 4 but I thought I would bump this up a bit since it was so enjoyable.

First of all, i would like to say that’s a perfect title. No pun intended OBVIOUSLY. ;)
Now that I’m reading this, I realized there were so many clever things in this series that I missed when I read this as a child. Seeing Scaredy open up and overcome his fears always makes me happy.
Great book with an entertaining plot and characters. And of course, an amazing ending.

Scaredy Squirrel is always a huge hit with my little nieces. The warning at the beginning of this book is hilarious. It set the tone for the rest of the book, which is equally hilarious - and charming too! A great book to help children overcome their fears and open dialogue on why taking risks isn't too scary, sometimes! We look forward to adding this one to our collection too. Thanks for the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Melanie Watt does it again! Fans of scared squirrel will love this latest advenutre. It's full of fun and so many laughs!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the digital advance reading copy of this book.

Scaredy Squirrel did a great job of explaining how scary it can be to meet someone new. I love that they meet halfway and by the end Ivy knows that it will be two hours before Scaredy answers.

All in all a fun book.

I love that Scaredy Squirrel is getting into the graphic novels. Now kids that love the books can grow into the graphic novels of this silly loveable squirrel.

You seriously can't go wrong with a Scaredy Squirrel story, and this one's no different!

Scaredy Squirrel likes to stay in his nut tree. That's where it's safe. It's the outside world that is scary and unpredictable...you never know when a fluffy bunny could pop out at you! Unfortunately, something goes wrong and Scaredy Squirrel's finds himself forced to leave his tree, confront his anxieties, and possibly make a new friend in order to move forward.

Scaredy Squirrel tales are fantastic because they might be a little bit silly and overdramatic, but they teach even the most anxious of kids that it's ok to be a little bit scared! Plus Mélanie Watt's illustrations are simple, yet hilarious and perfectly demonstrate Scaredy Squirrel's insecurities and elaborate plans.

5 stars!