Batcat and the Seven Squirrels

October 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-Inspired by the author's childhood experience, this early chapter book will entertain young readers. From the first page, readers are drawn in as they anticipate the creature Nathan sees clinging to his screen door. With a page turn, readers discover it is a baby squirrel. Black-and-white illustrations help developing readers visualize the situation. Indications of the mother squirrel's demise send Nathan's family into action, and soon their house is filled with an entire litter of orphaned squirrels. In addition to the squirrels, there is a neighborhood cat, Batcat, whom each family member has been secretly feeding. Unsure of how Batcat will react to the squirrels, the family members try to keep him away. However, Batcat has other plans and becomes a father figure to the squirrels. Walters knows his audience well and keeps the suspense going. As the squirrels become more independent, readers will race to the finish line to discover what happens to Nathan and his animal friends. Frequent full-page illustrations and brief chapters will help readers progress through the narrative. Aside from the term eavestrough (a rain gutter), the vocabulary is familiar, and the limited amount of multisyllabic words makes this well suited for readers transitioning to chapter books. Squirrel facts naturally interspersed throughout the story and the author's note enhance the text. VERDICT A solid addition to early chapter book shelves.-Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

After he finds an orphaned baby squirrel clinging to a screen door, Nathan and his parents decide to care for the animal.Realizing that there might be more than just one orphan, they search the nearby trees and discover six others. They become foster parents to the litter, a process that is described in limited detail. Nathan, who is almost 8 and depicted as white on the cover, has been yearning for a pet, but his parents assure him that these wild animals are not candidates for the role. Batcat, a neighborhood stray, seems like a more appropriate choice. When the battered old tom begins defending the litter of squirrels and then taking a major interest in their well-being, it cements a developing relationship between Nathan's family and the needy but independent cat. In simple text, and accompanied by at least one attractive, soft-edged black-and-white drawing per brief chapter, veteran author Walters relates a true tale from his own childhood. Nathan's contented relationship with his parents provides a quiet, tender backdrop to the squirrel and cat tale. His parents' matter-of-fact ways of handling these animal challenges are both endearing and instructive as they calmly pick up information from the internet and then put it to best use. A high-interest story with a gentle message that is sure to appeal to animal lovers. (author's note) (Fiction. 5-9) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2016
After he finds an orphaned baby squirrel clinging to a screen door, Nathan and his parents decide to care for the animal.Realizing that there might be more than just one orphan, they search the nearby trees and discover six others. They become foster parents to the litter, a process that is described in limited detail. Nathan, who is almost 8 and depicted as white on the cover, has been yearning for a pet, but his parents assure him that these wild animals are not candidates for the role. Batcat, a neighborhood stray, seems like a more appropriate choice. When the battered old tom begins defending the litter of squirrels and then taking a major interest in their well-being, it cements a developing relationship between Nathans family and the needy but independent cat. In simple text, and accompanied by at least one attractive, soft-edged black-and-white drawing per brief chapter, veteran author Walters relates a true tale from his own childhood. Nathans contented relationship with his parents provides a quiet, tender backdrop to the squirrel and cat tale. His parents matter-of-fact ways of handling these animal challenges are both endearing and instructive as they calmly pick up information from the internet and then put it to best use. A high-interest story with a gentle message that is sure to appeal to animal lovers. (authors note) (Fiction. 5-9)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.