IT'S SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY! 

also - The Story of Winston

It is also National Hug Day. January 21st was chosen for Hug Day because it falls in between Christmas Day and Valentine's Day. So hug someone in your bubble. Or hug a squirrel? No clue why this date was chosen for our squirrel friends...  We have quite a few squirrels in our neighborhood. In fact, one managed to get into our attic a few years ago. How could such a thing happen? Well - we had to get a new roof after a particularly intense hail storm and the roofers unintentionally left a small space just big enough for a squirrel. Once we realized what had happened (cue the pitter patter of little feet above as we lay in bed), we called the roofing company and they came back to investigate. Sure enough, they found the hole and sealed it up -- with the squirrel inside the attic, of course. We have a ladder that goes up into the attic in our garage so we left that down and lo and behold - the squirrel raced out. Only to return to try and get back into its nest. We named the squirrel Winston (after Winston Churchill) because it never, never, never, never gave up. We would hear scratching at all hours of the day and night as Winston attempted to re-enter his blocked off hidey hole. To no avail, I might add. Winston's sharp little claws and teeth were no match for the metal flashing. But I still call all of our squirrels Winston. 

 

Here are some great books about squirrels. And one or two about hugs.  

 

                    

             

 

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter 

Meet Squirrel Nutkin, a red squirrel from Potter's English countryside. Nutkin is a rather impertinent squirrel. His teasing goes a bit too far and Nutkin is left with a permanent reminder of his rude behavior. So file this one under "cautionary tales".

 

The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes by Beatrix Potter 

This lovely story features a gray squirrel, a chipmunk, and a black bear. Potter wrote it specifically for her American fans so she chose to feature animals more familiar to American children. Even though the story is still set in her beloved Lake District of England. Note to self - if you are trapped inside a tree, don't eat too many nuts!

Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Elovitz Marshall

You may know about Beatrix Potter's lovely animal stories but did you know about her quest to save the English countryside? Or how she became an artist and storyteller? Explore this delightfully inspiring children's biography and find the answers to these questions and more! There is an author's note and recommended reading at the end of the book which has inspired me to read an adult biography about Beatrix.

Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett

Cyril is a squirrel. Pat is a rat. They have a lot of adventures and fun together. But no one else thinks they should be friends because Pat is NOT a squirrel. A sweet and funny book about friendship and learning that it's OK to be different. 

Squirrel Meets World by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Have you met Doreen Green? She spends a lot of time trying to hide her tail because, well, she's got squirrel superpowers. Eventually her secret is revealed and Squirrel Girl is born! These books are a prequel to the popular Squirrel Girl comics. 

 

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo.

I love Kate DiCamillo. And this book is no exception. It's about a squirrel that is suddenly granted superpowers. Because someone tried to suck him up in a vacuum cleaner. His name is Ulysses. And there are donuts. AND it is being made into a movie!  You can follow the link to watch a trailer!

 Flora & Ulysses film trailer

 

The Littlest Things Give the Loveliest Hugs by Mark Sperring.

"From ducklings to seal pups, from bunnies to cubs, the littlest things give the loveliest hugs."  Toddlers will enjoy naming all the baby animals in this book that are sharing hugs with their parents. A fun book for Hug Day and Valentine's Day!

 

How to Build a Hug:Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville ; illustrated by Giselle Potter.

Have you met Temple Grandin? She is an amazing woman - and one of my personal heroes. Just think of something you REALLY don't like -- a dentist drill? A fork scratching on a plate? A room filled with smelly perfume? That's how Temple felt when someone tried to hug her. She sometimes wanted a hug but she just couldn't bear it. This biography explores how Temple built a hug machine so that she could get a hug anytime without having to touch another person. 

A gentle reminder that not all people like hugs - you should always ask before hugging someone.