Penny's Reviews and Chat

Squirrels Can’t Help Being Nuts

with Kitty Cats and Bumblebee Buzzers

by Margot Finke

Artwork by Elizabeth Koenig

"Squirrels Can’t Help Being Nuts with Kitty Cats and Bumblebee Buzzers," by Margot Finke, is sweet rhyming picture book, with artwork by Elizabeth Koenig. Ms. Finke, one of my favorite children's authors, has a gift for telling stories in rhyme—not many authors can pull it off, but she does it wonderfully well. Not only does she tell the story with vivid word pictures, she does it with style, humor, and pure enjoyment. She gives us facts about the natural world and takes us there in her stories. Here’s an example of what I enjoy about her writing:

Their big fluffy tails keep them warm on cold nights,

snuggled close in dens with their loot.

Yet sometimes they nibble on seedy delights

or leaves sprouting out of a root.

We see the squirrels busy gathering nuts and seeds to eat back in their cozy dens. Every scene she paints with words is full of fun and lively. The artwork complements Ms. Finke's rhyming stories.

The second story about Kitty Cats, is also dear to me–I’ve been “owned” by cats my whole life. Ms. Finke has captured cats' many and capricious moods, but also their softness and sweetness. Cat lovers will adore this one, and all others please beware or you may be converted.

Take Siamese and Persians and Tabbies and Grays,

these cats will all love you the same.

But know that they own you for all of your days

—cats invented the ownership game!

 The third story about Bumblebee Buzzers is another one that’s sure to please kids. Since I have the gigantic bumblebee variety in my yard, I absolutely appreciate their buzzing and give them plenty of room. We both enjoy the flowers they visit.

        They sprinkle the pollen from flower to flower.

This helps gardens bloom with every spring shower.

And when you doze outside on warm summer days,

the bumblebee’s buzz is the music that plays.

 Ms. Finke’s words and rhymes create great images and Elizabeth Koenig's artwork is truly the other wonderful part of this book. I love American folk art style—realistic, but stylistic as well. Ms. Koenig’s lovely illustrations capture the joy and humor of the natural world we are invited into through Ms. Finke’s stories. This super collaboration is highly recommended for elementary children. If they can’t read the words yet, it makes a great read aloud with beautiful pictures to look at while they listen to the rhymes.

Squirrels Can’t Help Being Nuts with Kitty Cats and Bumblebee Buzzers is published by www.guardianangelpublishing.com and is available from quality online book sellers such as www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com.

More information about author Margot Finke and her other books is at www.margotfinke.com.

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Tags:

Margot Finke, Squirrels Can't Help Being Nuts, Kitty Cats,  Bumblebee Buzzers, Elizabeth Koenig, nature, children's books, rhymes