Nosey Charlie Comes to Town by Yvonne Blackwood is the first in a series of children’s books about a squirrel named Charlie. Poor little charlie is an orphan that goes to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin Pete in a city park. Charlie spends his day at play with his cousin all summer. Then fall rolls in. Unfamiliar with how things work in the big city Charlie gets nosey. Several workers spend hours cleaning the park. Then Charlie gets into their litter and leaf bags making a mess. The workers see his cousin and assume Pete did it. They throw a rock and hit poor Pete on the head. His cousin turns out all right in the end and it teaches Charlie not to be so nosey. The book continues on, telling how Charlie and his family have to collect food for the winter. The aunt even sings a song on the importance of their work.
The interaction between the family members is playful and feels real. The squirrels are friendly and happy. The story itself has two good morals and teaching children not be nosey and prepare for the future. However, I don’t know that a children’s story should have people throwing rocks at animals no matter the reason.
Aside from that the first part and the second part felt disjointed. The two parts were unrelated. If the latter was deleted all together it would give the story one main theme that worked. The artwork was coarse as well and did not keep my girls attention. They like Charlie and the other squirrels but that was all.
This book gets three stars because the girls did enjoy reading it that night. With a revision and improved artwork this book has major potential. I would love to see the new and improved Charlie.
Learn More about Yvonne Blackwood and her works at:
R. Tran Books 