Pepito the squirrel is back in this rollicking sequel, this time accompanied by new playmates for readers to relish. Erebia returns to the story of his adopted rodent buddy on a morning when Pepito is nowhere to be seen—“He searched the whole day, and the next morning / But, Pepito was gone, without any forewarning!” Fortunately, Pepito soon returns alongside Colita, his new girlfriend. This pair are only the start of a squirrel extravaganza that lands in the sanctuary of the author’s yard, delivering pages of entertainment, feasting, and captivating photographs.

Erebia’s playful pictures steal the show in his lighthearted adventure, and animal lovers will devour the escapades of Pepito and friends. Fun facts like “A group of squirrels, is called a scurry” and the star’s affinity for rolling in peat moss and loam will charm younger fans and provide teaching moments. The eccentricities of Erebia’s rhythmic text sometimes distracts from the merriment (“Pepito would climb walls, right up he’d go / He’d leave behind, the ground below”), but the message comes through, inviting readers into a squirrel’s daily life. Pepito’s single-mindedness during pre-winter acorn burying is amusingly paired with his distinctive stunts—“It really was funny, he’d poke and he’d dig / And, when he was done, he’d dance an old jig."

Though geared for younger audiences, this squirrelly promenade has staying power and will hit the spot for anyone who enjoys carefree animal play and is amused by (or tolerant of) doggerel. From their discriminating palates (“he also went nuts, For almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts”) to their penchant for wrestling, Pepito and his entourage entertain. Erebia’s affinity for nature highlights the special attachment between humans and animals, and his affectionate carousing with Pepito is aptly memorialized in the abundant action shots that are the hallmark of Erebia’s True Tail Tale nonfiction series.

Takeaway: A spirited adventure of squirrel horseplay, complete with educational tidbits and enjoyable photos.

Great for fans of: Nick Newman and Karin Mitchell’s The Rhino Crash, Beverly Keil’s Diary of a Dumpster Pup, Belinda Recio’s Inside Animal Hearts and Minds.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A+
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B