ALA Booklist (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

A pair of gray squirrels scampers through the seasons in this upbeat entry in Jenkins and Jones' First Science Storybook series, which began with Bird Builds a Nest (2018). Carefully designed with the youngest readers in mind, attractive mixed-media illustrations and simple, engaging text are infused with basic science concepts to introduce ideas related to seasons, weather, and, of course, squirrels. The book opens with a snowy landscape, where a watchful owl perches in a big tree by a frozen pond and the squirrels are curled cozily in their nest. Jones uses muted blues and whites to reflect the frigid temperatures, but when spring arrives, the pond bursts with color, life, and activity, including one squirrel's acrobatics to reach a budding tree branch. One by one, the seasons transform the pond, prompting its animal residents to adjust their behaviors. Jones' lovely illustrations capture the serenity and drama of nature, and Jenkins' storybook approach makes the information easy to digest. A note to instructors offers a scientific explanation of seasonal change to share with inquiring youngsters.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

A pair of personality-filled squirrels and other residents of their pond-side community interact through four distinct seasons. Perfectly crafted sentences--simple, yet packed with clues to the underlying science--emphasize patterns and the relationships among seasons, weather, and nature. Mixed-media illustrations echo the scientific sophistication of the text, using a muted palette that still captures each season's distinct landscapes, trees, and animal behaviors. Ind.

Kirkus Reviews

Muted, mixed-media illustrations pair nicely with spare, poetic text that depicts the seasons in a forest.An owl sits in a hole in a tree, "keeping an eye on things" as each new season begins and ends. Squirrels first seen curled up in a tree soon seek food as snowflakes drift down; birds and frogs liven up the pond in spring but quiet down in summer heat; the squirrels scurry about once again in fall as the frogs burrow their way into the mud below the pond. This book doesn't shy away from presenting natural dangers—when the owl goes hunting, squirrels must beware. And summer lightning hits the owl's tree—will it escape in time? Winter comes again, and so does a new perspective: Readers peek out through a hole in the tree from deep inside the squirrels' den to see the owl flying past. This first introduction to the science of seasons and animal behavior features painterly, detailed illustrations that enchant and instruct, illuminating and extending the lively, approachable, often onomatopoeic text. Frontmatter explains why we have seasons and certain weather patterns such as thunderstorms; complementary backmatter offers both topical discussion questions and a subject index, which further lend this book to STEM-related storytimes and activities.A lyrical introduction to STEM for budding scientists, animal lovers, and artists everywhere. (Informational picture book. 3-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a companion to Bird Builds a Nest, Jenkins opens with a brief discussion of weather and season-related concepts (the Earth-s orbit around the sun, clouds, thunderstorms) before offering a seasonal, image-rich story about two squirrels. They begin tucked away in their winter den; in spring, the two -are out and about, looking for food. The acorns are all gone, but there are fat, juicy buds on the maple trees.- Throughout the year, an owl watches over the woodland glen-in one spread, the squirrels narrowly escape his talons. Jones-s compositions feature chiseled lines, grassy textures, and artful use of perspective, including a view from deep inside the squirrels- nest. The science-based content is edifying, though Jenkins-s subtle message about the value of observing changes in nature may resonate most strongly. Ages 4-6. (July)