Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door

Old Man Fookwire lives at the edge of town with his backyard bird feeders and feathered friends. His peaceful routine includes painting pictures of the birds who visit his yard and dealing with the local squirrels who try to steal from his feeders. A new neighbor moves in next door with a cat named Little Old Lady Hu's cat, Muffins. The cat disrupts the balance of Fookwire's backyard sanctuary and creates problems for both the birds and squirrels. The squirrels and Old Man Fookwire find themselves in an unlikely alliance as they work to address the situation with Muffins. Their efforts lead to several creative attempts to restore peace to the backyard. This story explores themes of unlikely friendships, problem-solving, and the ways communities can come together to overcome challenges. The book demonstrates how former adversaries can unite when faced with a common concern.

Readers describe this book as a worthy sequel to "Those Darn Squirrels," maintaining the humor and charm of the original. Parents note that their children request repeated readings and laugh at the illustrations. Liked: - Expressive, detailed illustrations that reward close examination - Message about friendship and standing up to bullies - Humor appeals to both adults and children Disliked: - Some found it less engaging than the first book - A few readers felt the story was too predictable - Several mentioned the conflict resolution felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.22/5 (1,274 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (156 ratings) "The squirrels' clever schemes and Old Man Fookwire's grumpiness make my kids giggle every time," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user noted: "The illustrations tell half the story - we keep finding new details with each reading."

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🌰 Author Adam Rubin got his start in advertising before becoming a children's book author, and he wrote his first book during his lunch breaks at work. 🐿️ The book is part of a series featuring Old Man Fookwire and his squirrel frenemies, with three books total in the collection. 🎨 Illustrator Daniel Salmieri and Adam Rubin have collaborated on multiple successful children's books, including the bestselling "Dragons Love Tacos." 🐱 The antagonist cat in the story, Little Old Lady Hu's pet Muffins, was inspired by real neighborhood cats that terrorize backyard birds. 🦅 The story incorporates real bird species like Baltimore Orioles and Scarlet Tanagers, helping children learn about actual backyard birds while enjoying the silly plot.