The Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn

Whoosh! Squirrel takes off at full speed through the autumn leaves. But pump the brakes, because this year The Golden Nut Hunt race it is a team event. Squirrel reluctantly enlists her friends and is not impressed. Will Squirrel's competitive spirit take over or will she learn how to be a team player? Best-selling author Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and A Loud Winter's Nap) proves that winning isn't everything in this energetic picture book about friendship, teamwork, and forgiveness -- and that's something to go nuts about! Hudson's (Too Many Carrots) forest friends are back, still oblivious to each other's needs, but always moving forward with best intentions. During the annual hunt for the Golden Acorn, Squirrel's type-A behavior almost results in her losing her friends. The realization that it's lonely at the top makes her adjust her priorities; "From now on Squirrel's friends would ALWAYS come first." Hudson's adorable, detailed, and personality-filled watercolor and pen-and-ink depictions of the forest and its inhabitants provide a lovely diversion with a little lesson to boot. VERDICT Suitable for a story time reading, the details require a longer look.--Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence "School Library Journal" This timely tale of teamwork, friendship, and patience is perfect for any goal-driven young reader getting ready to go back to school!-- "Barnes & Noble Kids, "July's Best New Picture Books"" Hudson's story will be perfect for a preschool storytime about friendship, kindness, working together, or a lesson in being a gracious loser in games. Illustrations are chock-full of clever details and funny touches. . . .A simple, heart-warming friendship story paired with beautiful autumn illustrations worthy of pouring over with a little reader.-- "PSLA Teaching and Learning - Literature Review" Tension builds until the satisfying resolution. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations showcase both the struggles of the cartoon-like creatures and the beauty of the autumnal forest. This delightful story about a hypercompetitive little squirrel delivers a great message in an exciting way. A prize.-- "Booklist" The cadre of compassionate forest critters from A Loud Winter's Nap (2017) returns to prove that teamwork beats going it alone. . . .Set against a rich autumnal backdrop, pumpkin pie, candied apples, and warm woolen scarves pop. Plus, it's hard to imagine any funnier representation of a beaver squeezing through oaken knotholes than this. . . .Come for the cacophony of color and the slapstick...-- "Kirkus Reviews" What a fantastic book about putting your friends and their feelings FIRST.....instead of having to always win and be first. This is a skill all kids need to work on and be aware of. . . .This is the PERFECT book on competitiveness and teamwork. I highly recommend!-- "Books That Heal" Katy Hudson won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award Gold in 2014 for her illustrations in the book Animal Teachers. Her debut picture book, Bear and Duck, received strong reviews, including a starred review from Kirkus. Katy is the author of the best-selling picture books Too Many Carrots and A Loud Winter's Nap, which both received numerous positive reviews. Katy lives in London.