Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution

by Pat Miller

AR Test, Must Read, Picture Book

At A Glance

Interest Level

4 - 8

Entertainment
Score

Reading Level
2.7

Number of Pages
32

Squirrel hears about New Year’s resolutions, but she doesn’t know what they are. So she visits her friends to find out what they resolve to do in the new year. Bear wants to help others learn to read. Porcupine decides to be less grumpy. What will Squirrel choose to do for her resolution?

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution explains the significance of a resolution in kid-friendly language. The story goes through the steps of making a resolution. Bear starts by explaining, “A resolution is a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others. When we begin a new year, we make a fresh start.”

When Squirrel still isn’t sure what to do, Rabbit tells him, “Think of a way to improve yourself. Or a way to use what you’re good at to help others.”

The story concludes with Rabbit pointing out that even though Squirrel had not verbalized a resolution, Squirrel has helped others. Throughout the story, Squirrel helps other characters find realistic ways to keep their resolutions. Rabbit tells Squirrel, “Your actions are better than words. It looks like you resolved to help someone every day.”

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution has illustrations with friendly forest animals in bright colors. Each two-page spread contains one full-page illustration as well as one or more large illustrations. Not only are the pictures beautiful to look at, they also show the animals’ emotions. Each page contains 3-9 sentences and the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently.

Younger readers will enjoy the simple plot and detailed illustrations of Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution. The story is not only engaging, but also encourages readers to improve themselves, help others, and make the world a better place. The enjoyable story and positive message make Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution a must-read.

Sexual Content