Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door
#3 of 3 in Those Darn Squirrels Series
What’s inside...
From the creators of Dragons Love Tacos comes the second laugh-out-loud story about Old Man Fookwire and those darn squirrels! All is calm in Old Man Fookwire's yard until new neighbors—Little Old Lady Hu and her cat, Muffins—move in next door. Muffins is one mean dude who terrorizes the birds, interrupts Fookwire's painting, and ties the squirrels' tails together. Fookwire is upset, but not nearly as upset as the squirrels, who devise an ingenious plan to stop Muffins cold. The tongue-in-cheek text is perfectly complemented by the quirky, inventive illustrations.
Discussion points
Why do you think the squirrels and the cat don't get along at first?
What are some ways that Mr. Fookwire tries to help the squirrels and the cat become friends?
How do the characters' feelings change throughout the story?
What would you do if you were Mr. Fookwire to help the squirrels and cat get along?
Can you think of a time when you had to work with someone you found difficult at first? What happened?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the characters’ actions and relate them to their own experiences with friends or pets.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points in the story to enhance their analytical thinking.
Post-reading, consider creating a simple art project together, like drawing a scene from the book, to deepen their connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The story showcases the squirrels coming up with creative strategies to tackle problems posed by the new cat in the neighborhood.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions when faced with challenges in school or at play.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The squirrels work together to outsmart the cat, teaching the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, such as group projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The squirrels adapt to the new situation with the cat, illustrating how to adjust to changes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being flexible and adapting to new environments or rules, which is crucial at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: Despite their differences, the animals in the story need to coexist peacefully, showing the importance of accepting others.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to be more accepting and inclusive of peers who might seem different from them, fostering a more harmonious classroom or playground.