Bedtime in the Forest

It's time for these little squirrels to go to bed!

Mick, Mack, and Molly, the three adorable squirrel children, are back in action--but not when they should be. This time, they are up and out in the middle of the night. After all, the owl children are wide-awake and playing. So why can't squirrel children stay up late and play, too?

"Baby squirrels find unlikely new friends in their first non-seasonal outing (Hooray for Snow!, 2009, etc.). While frolicking on a tree branch one morning, squirrel siblings Mick, Mack and Molly spy an owl family sleeping inside the tree. Mama Owl wakes up long enough to tell them to come back at night if they want to play, and they do, even though their parents have warned them not to. There's fun for a while, but the squirrels soon tire and fall asleep. Luckily, Father and Mother have guessed what their children are up to and bring them home. Though playing together won't work for owl and squirrel children, Mick, Mack and Molly come up with a great idea: They make a mailbox so they can be pen pals with the owlets. Iwamura's adorable animals are well-matched by both his muted palette and his gentle story. Pleasantly reminiscent of Beatrix Potter..." -Kirkus Reviews

"Three squirrel children meet two owlets and would love to play with them, but they go out only at night. That evening, too excited to sleep, Mick, Mack, and Molly sneak out of their tree to join the owls, raring to go in their little red overalls. However, the squirrels, clad in cozy, soft pajamas, soon fall asleep, and their father finds them and takes them home....One of the appeals of this tale is that the squirrel children solve their problem themselves. This unpretentious story with lovely art and endearing animals will be enjoyed by young children." - School Library Journal