Early Picturebook Review: Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by by Mélanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Mélanie Watt is another great addition to the series of picturebooks about Scaredy Squirrel, and is scheduled for release on April 1 2013. For those readers that are not yet acquainted with this rodent (for shame!), Scardey Squirrel is all about prevention, preparation, and avoidance. He is scared about just about everything, from logical things like getting sprayed by a skunk to the less logical fear of zippers. When he decides he wants to go camping his way, by watching it on television, Scaredy needs to travel though the nearby campground to plug in his extention cord. Along the way, he learns that camping is much better experienced first hand. But, it should be done safely of course.

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping is fun, silly, and simply a good time. Scaredy is not very comfortable with the idea of camping, or much of anything really. He has lists of fears, what to avoid, and how to avoid them. rather than risking zippers or skunks, he plans to camp from the safety of his couch, in his home. but as usual, once Scaredy gets out into the world, he discovers that the world will not destroy him and can enjoy himself. he is not worry free at the end, and still treats the world in his own special way, but gets a little closer to enjoying nature.

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping, and the entire series of books by Mélanie Watt, is fun and entertaining. it does not make outright fun of Scaredy's fears, but instead shows young readers how to deal with and face the things that make you uncomfortable without completely letting go of who you are. I plan on reading the entire series with my children, especially my son who fears getting the bottom of his pants wet or dirty. maybe seeing Scaredy face the perils of the world will encourage him to let go of those pant legs!