Squeak's Good Idea - Hardcover

Eilenberg, Max

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763615919 ISBN 13: 9780763615918

Publisher: Candlewick, 2001

Synopsis

The author of COWBOY KID and the illustrator of OWL BABIES offer a gentle read-aloud about trying out one’s independence.

Squeak has a good idea—he’s going outside. But to be on the safe side, he’ll need just a few things—like mittens, a jacket, a scarf, a hat, a raincoat, warm pants, extra socks, and an umbrella. Will Squeak ever be ready to go out? This encouraging story about venturing out on one’s own is gently told by author Max Eilenberg, with delightful illustrations by Patrick Benson.

About this title

About the Author

Max Eilenberg has worked in publishing for many years. He is also the author of COWBOY KID, illustrated by Sue Heap.

Patrick Benson has illustrated more than twenty-five well-loved picture books, including THE LITTLE BOAT by Kathy Henderson, THE MINPINS by Roald Dahl, OWL BABIES by Martin Waddell, and THE COURT OF THE WINGED SERPENT and THE SEA-THING CHILD by Russell Hoban. He won the Mother Goose Award in 1984.

Reviews

reS-Gr 2-Squeak is ready to go outside, but he cannot convince anyone in his family to join him. So the young elephant carefully and thoughtfully prepares for his solo adventure, peering out the door to check the weather, adding articles of clothing, an umbrella, and a basket full of good things to eat, "just to be on the safe side." The quiet humor of this story is played out in the punch line-the great outdoors is a small, walled-in backyard. Benson's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the young one's trepidation, and his small universe. The gentle text with some repetitions makes this a good choice for a read-aloud.

Ann Cook, formerly at Winter Park Public Library, FL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

This amiable toddler book about independence and planning ahead features a timorous baby elephant with whom young readers will easily identify. When his family is too busy to play, Squeak decides to brave the outside world himself. Each time he opens the door, he thinks of one more thing he needs a scarf, an umbrella, a picnic basket just to be "on the safe side." Benson (Owl Babies) adeptly captures Squeak's anxious anticipation of trouble. At the same time, the agreeable watercolor, pen and ink paintings feature cozy scenes and plenty of cheery spot art that lend a tone of reassurance to Squeak's solitary quest. Happily, as the apprehensive elephant takes literally one careful step at a time to the tree at the end of his walled garden, his worst fears are cheerfully allayed. Squeak's emotions are conveyed in the illustrations rather than the text, and Eilenberg's (Cowboy Kid) narrative captures spot-on the toddler mindset. Ages 2-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Ages 3-5. The living room is cozy and comfortably cluttered--Poppa is ironing, and Momma is reading to young Tumble. Since everyone is busy, young Squeak decides to go out. But it might be cold, so he piles on the clothing and borrows his mother's scarf. And it might rain, so he takes the rain gear and borrows his father's umbrella. Wait! He might get hungry, so he packs a basket of goodies. Finally he ventures out, all the way to the tree at the end of the backyard. It isn't cold or rainy, so he doffs his accumulated garments, sits down for a picnic, and his family joins him. "It's best to be on the safe side," says Squeak, and everyone agrees. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations of this engaging elephant family are cheery. The chrysanthemums in the garden and Poppa's and Momma's sweaters and woolly shirts seem to indicate early autumn. Tumble is as cute a small sibling as can be imagined. Squeak is clearly related to Kevin Henkes' worried Wemberly, and the duo might make for a reassuring story time. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0763615919
• ISBN 13: 9780763615918
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Benson Patrick