Squirrels Scamper

Awaken young children to the purposeful movement of squirrels and their own sense of work and play

In Squirrels Scamper, two young children—Kamali and Josiah—step outside to discover the busy world of squirrels in their own backyard. As they watch the squirrels scamper, climb, and jump through the crisp autumn air, the children join in the fun—testing their own balance and agility as they mimic the squirrels’ playful movements. Whether gathering twigs for their nests or searching for acorns, the squirrels are always on the move, and so are the children! After a day of joyful exploration and teamwork, including raking leaves and diving into leaf piles, the children realize that, like the squirrels, we too spend our days working and playing, celebrating the harmony of nature and the rhythm of life.

Squirrels Scamper

• Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons no matter where they live
• Engages young children in reflecting on the natural world
• Includes activity ideas to engage children in learning about squirrels in their own neighborhoods

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban neighborhoods—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like birds), one sense (hearing), and one social or emotional learning skill (communication). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

| In Squirrels Scamper, two young children—cousins Kamali and Josiah—notice the squirrels moving fast outside their window; they venture to the backyard to play and watch the squirrels. They practice using their sense of balance to gain confidence while they climb, jump, and move like the squirrels do. Taking in a beautiful fall day, they help rake the yard before jumping in their pile of leaves, noticing how their own work and play are parallel to a squirrel’s day. This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Book series, which encourages children—especially those in urban environments—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world and one sense. There is so much to learn from nature, right Outside Our Window. |

Working at the intersection of nature, literature, and culture, Mélina Mangal's writing highlights youth whose voices are rarely heard, and the people and places that inspire them to explore their world. Her books from Free Spirit include Jayden's Impossible Garden, Jayden's Secret Ingredient, and the Outside Our Window Board Books series. She is also the author of short stories and biographies for youth, including The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just. She won the Carter G. Woodson Book Award and was named an NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Mélina also works as a school library teacher in Minnesota and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, whether it's in her backyard or hiking in the woods.

Stella Lim is a Korean illustrator based in Seoul. She studied fine art at the Seoul Women's University and illustration at Kingston University in London. She draws inspiration from her childhood in rural South Korea, and likes to bring something new to each project she works on.

| "I absolutely love the concept of connecting with nature while living in the city. Curiosity and joy emanate from the Outside Our Window series." | "A useful tool for parents to illustrate nature's beauty, perfectly suited for home-based education opportunities." | "Truly noteworthy series . . . [that] deliberately and effectively emphasizes community and encourages children and their families to explore the natural world around them."