Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble.
Welcome to a new adventure in the Neck, a beautiful place where animals and humans live together in harmony--most of the time. In this book, a young boy named Eli builds a log fort with his dad, but it's not long before mischievous squirrels Chatter, Whistle, and Squeak move in and take over. As the nuts, acorns, and pinecones pile up inside, Eli realizes he's going to have to get creative to get them out. Will his plan work, or will the squirrels win?
The US Review Gives High Praise for Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble
Life in the Neck: Squirrel Trouble
by Diane Davies
Beaver’s Pond Press
book review by Olivia Farr
"They only weigh ounces, but have a lot of energy and like to be busy and bossy."
Eli worked hard to build a fort with his dad during the summer. The animals of the Neck noticed this impressive fort, and soon some pesky red squirrels had moved in. The red squirrels found the fort to be rather cozy and began to build up their stash for winter. When Eli finds himself repeatedly cleaning up the mess from their stash, he asks his dad for advice. Together, they check online and find a set of steps to follow. Eli follows the steps carefully, trapping the red squirrels and taking them away from the fort to set them free. However, the red squirrels are just as determined as Eli, and they repeat these steps until Eli adds one of his own, learning to live with the squirrels.
Told in short chapters, this book is ideal for young readers of chapter books who will admire the full-page illustrations while reading the short paragraphs featured on each page spread. The story is highly relatable, as children will often encounter challenging problems they will need to solve, even if their problems are not as persistent as red squirrels. This book illustrates the steps for handling problems, including doing research and following steps to attempt to solve them. Davies even goes a step further to demonstrate that not all problems can be solved; sometimes people may have to make the best out of the situation in which they find themselves. With rural charm, adorable animals, and a storyline that is both cute and straightforward, this book has broad appeal for young readers. Lovely illustrations complement the text in this charming story of persistence and problem-solving.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer.
Jeannie Ann is a typical six-year-old. When she learns her grandma has breast cancer, it brings up the fears, questions, emotions, and misunderstandings that come with facing a medical challenge. With her loving family by her side, Jeannie Ann learns about what cancer can bring; tumors, mastectomies, chemotherapy, pain, and loss, but also hope. Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer is a story written with honesty, love, and understanding for children of all ages.
The US Review
Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer
by Diane Davies
Beaver’s Pond Press
book review by Kate Robinson
"Cancer can make our feelings hurt, way down deep inside."
Children are terrified by the thought of losing parents and grandparents, and cancer is a particularly frightening and mysterious illness for any age group to confront. Author Davies uses her talents as a grandmother, educator, breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate in this concept picture book that speaks frankly about the fears, tough questions, and emotional responses that both children and adults have when confronting this medical challenge.
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New Friends: Life in the Neck
Welcome to life in the Neck, a beautiful place where animals form unbreakable connections. In New Friends, the first book in the Life in the Neck series, Delaney, Rocket, and Cardinal Red meet and learn about friendship, cooperation, and the busy world around them. But when danger comes to the Neck, will their bond be strong enough to beat it?
The US Review
New Friends: Life in the Neck, Book 1
by Diane Davies
Beaver's Pond Press
book review by Jordana Landsman
"Mother Deer and Mother Rabbit were close by, enjoying the sight of the two new friends playing. Another set of eyes was watching too."
Delaney the deer comes into the world full of questions for her doting mother doe. When Delaney is old enough, she becomes friends with Rocket the rabbit, and the two play and learn together. Sometime later, they are befriended by Cardinal Red, a bird protecting her soon-to-hatch eggs. Together, the trio becomes trusted friends and companions, sticking together through fun days of play, cozy naps, the terror of a fire, and the ever-present threat of a hungry resident coyote, who will only be appeased by alternate food sources for so long.
This well-intended and lovingly rendered children’s book walks the line between showcasing sweet animal characters and describing the dangers they face. On the one hand, when the trio of friends convene in their series of playdates, theirs is an appealing community of youngsters developing friendship and trust, learning about others, and sharing of themselves.
