Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: The best picture Books About Squirrels include Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Mélanie Watt, Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Squirrels are busy, bouncy and funny, which makes them perfect picture-book heroes. These stories star nut-hiding, tree-climbing squirrels who learn about friendship, bravery and getting ready for winter, and they are lovely for autumn reading.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaredy Squirrel | Mélanie Watt | 4-8 | kids who worry |
| Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend | Mélanie Watt | 4-8 | kids nervous about new friends |
| Nuts to You! | Lois Ehlert | 3-6 | backyard nature fans |
| Those Darn Squirrels! | Adam Rubin | 4-8 | kids who like funny feuds |
| Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door | Adam Rubin | 4-8 | fans of the first book |
| The Busy Little Squirrel | Nancy Tafuri | 2-5 | toddlers |
| The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin | Beatrix Potter | 4-7 | classic story fans |
| Earl the Squirrel | Don Freeman | 3-7 | kids learning independence |
| Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep | April Pulley Sayre | 3-7 | curious kids |
| The Secret Life of Squirrels | Nancy Rose | 3-8 | fans of photographs |
| Mr. Squirrel and the Moon | Sebastian Meschenmoser | 3-7 | silly misunderstandings |
| Waiting for Winter | Sebastian Meschenmoser | 3-7 | snow lovers |
| Squirrel's New Year's Resolution | Pat Miller | 4-8 | goal setters |
| Squirrel's World | Lauren Thompson | 3-6 | beginning readers |
| The Leaf Thief | Alice Hemming | 3-7 | autumn fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt
A nervous squirrel never leaves his tree until an accident changes everything. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who worry.
2. Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Mélanie Watt
Scaredy makes a careful plan to find the perfect friend. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids nervous about new friends.
3. Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert
A cheeky squirrel sneaks into a child's apartment through the window. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: backyard nature fans.
4. Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin
Clever squirrels outsmart a grumpy old man to reach his bird feeders. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who like funny feuds.
5. Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door by Adam Rubin
The squirrels team up with Old Man Fookwire against a bossy cat. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: fans of the first book.
6. The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
A squirrel is too busy getting ready for winter to play with friends. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: toddlers.
7. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter
A cheeky red squirrel teases Old Brown the owl one riddle too many. Recommended ages: about 4-7.
Best for: classic story fans.
8. Earl the Squirrel by Don Freeman
Earl's mother wants him to find acorns on his own. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids learning independence.
9. Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre
Rhyming text introduces the different kinds of squirrels. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: curious kids.
10. The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose
Real photos show a squirrel named Mr. Peanuts in tiny handmade scenes. Recommended ages: about 3-8.
Best for: fans of photographs.
11. Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Mr. Squirrel thinks a wheel of cheese is the moon fallen onto his tree. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: silly misunderstandings.
12. Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Squirrel, Hedgehog and Bear stay awake to see their first snow. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: snow lovers.
13. Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller
Squirrel asks her friends how to make a good resolution. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: goal setters.
14. Squirrel's World by Lauren Thompson
A young squirrel explores the forest and makes new friends. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: beginning readers.
15. The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
Squirrel panics when his leaves start to disappear. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: autumn fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers, start with The Busy Little Squirrel and Nuts to You!. Kids who love funny stories will enjoy Those Darn Squirrels!, Scaredy Squirrel and Mr. Squirrel and the Moon. For autumn reading, The Leaf Thief and Waiting for Winter are perfect, while Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep and The Secret Life of Squirrels add real-world facts.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 2 to 8, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.