Bird & Squirrel On the Edge!: A Graphic Novel

In their third adventure, friends Bird and Squirrel are on their way home Bird flying while carrying Squirrel they just have to cross over some mountains. Then they see a wolf pack menacing a baby bear and stop to help the cub. In the midst of the fight, Squirrel accidentally hits Bird on the noggin with a pinecone and knocks him out. When Bird wakes up, he doesn't know who he is or how to fly. Squirrel is scared of everything, and Bird is the brave one, but now their roles are reversed. Can Squirrel find the courage to help the cub find its mama and get himself and Bird home? That's bad enough, but the wolves keep following them, too. Burks' colorful art makes the wolves menacing (long jaws full of sharp teeth) without being too scary for most younger readers, while the story propels the reader through lots of action and humor, as persnickety Squirrel must deal with the cub licking his face and helping his amnesiac friend, Bird, deal with his fears.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 1-4-The further adventures of unlikely friends Bird and Squirrel as they continue to get caught up in mishaps. Fans of the first two titles in this graphic novel series will not be disappointed with the shenanigans that the two companions find themselves involved in as they cross the Great Mountains. The rescue of a baby bear, a pursuit by wolves, and a case of amnesia are just some of what happens this time around. Burks continues to prove a wonderful storyteller with his vivid artwork, which will engage the most reluctant of readers. VERDICT Best suited for elementary grade students and struggling readers, this title is a must-own for graphic novel collections.-John Trischitti, Midland County Public Libraries, TX © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fearless Bird and whiny, fretful Squirrel must cross the Great Mountains to get home. Wolves preying on a bear cub interrupt their trip, though, and Bird's head-bump from a wayward pinecone causes things to go even more awry. This early graphic novel is funny, colorful, and energetic; new readers will root for the unlikely friends to outmatch the forest villains. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Best friends Bird and Squirrel embark upon a new graphic-novel adventure, in which they make a new friend and find the dynamics of their friendship changing. Sky-blue, acorn-hatted Squirrel is nervous. He's afraid of everythingeven dust. His best friend, the lemon-yellow, aviator-goggled Bird, is fearless. One day, on a stroll through their woodland home, they spy a bear cub cornered by a vicious pair of wolves. Bird can't stand to see two against one ("that's not right," he declares), so he hatches a plan to pelt the lupine bullies with pine cones. Timid Squirrel however, misfires and accidentally beans poor Bird, knocking him out. Now Bird cannot remember whoor whathe is, and Squirrel is left to protect Bear and Bird from the ferocious wolves. The pair's established dynamics have now reversed, leaving Bird now fearful and unsure and Squirrel having to step up and muster his courage. Although it's a rather gentle story of animal amity, Burks has adroitly managed to infuse it with a rollicking pace, cutely quirky characters, and lively illustrations that practically leap off the page, creating a subtle complexity that is usually missing from such buddy tales. A bright medley of friendship, problem-solving, and identity ideal for emerging readers looking for the next step up from leveled readers. (Graphic fiction. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In their third adventure, friends Bird and Squirrel are on their way home—Bird flying while carrying Squirrel—they just have to cross over some mountains. Then they see a wolf pack menacing a baby bear and stop to help the cub. In the midst of the fight, Squirrel accidentally hits Bird on the noggin with a pinecone and knocks him out. When Bird wakes up, he doesn't know who he is or how to fly. Squirrel is scared of everything, and Bird is the brave one, but now their roles are reversed. Can Squirrel find the courage to help the cub find its mama and get himself and Bird home? That's bad enough, but the wolves keep following them, too. Burks' colorful art makes the wolves menacing (long jaws full of sharp teeth) without being too scary for most younger readers, while the story propels the reader through lots of action and humor, as persnickety Squirrel must deal with the cub licking his face and helping his amnesiac friend, Bird, deal with his fears. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 1–4—The further adventures of unlikely friends Bird and Squirrel as they continue to get caught up in mishaps. Fans of the first two titles in this graphic novel series will not be disappointed with the shenanigans that the two companions find themselves involved in as they cross the Great Mountains. The rescue of a baby bear, a pursuit by wolves, and a case of amnesia are just some of what happens this time around. Burks continues to prove a wonderful storyteller with his vivid artwork, which will engage the most reluctant of readers. VERDICT Best suited for elementary grade students and struggling readers, this title is a must-own for graphic novel collections.—John Trischitti, Midland County Public Libraries, TX