What do you think?
Rate this book
尝&#虫27;茅肠耻谤别耻颈濒 #2
袚芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯 蟹薪邪械 锌褗褌褟 泻褗屑 褖邪褋褌懈械褌芯
袚芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯 蟹薪邪械 锌褗褌褟 泻褗屑 褖邪褋褌懈械褌芯 械 泻薪懈谐邪 薪邪 谐械褉屑邪薪褋泻懈褟 邪胁褌芯褉 懈 懈谢褞褋褌褉邪褌芯褉 小械斜邪褋褌懈邪薪 袦械褕械薪屑芯蟹械褉, 锌褉械胁械写械薪邪 薪邪 斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈 械蟹懈泻 芯褌 袣邪谢懈薪邪 袠胁邪薪芯胁邪. 袘褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈褌械 褔懈褌邪褌械谢懈 胁械褔械 锌芯蟹薪邪胁邪褌 薪械谐芯胁邪褌邪 褉邪斜芯褌邪 芯褌 写褉褍谐邪 泻薪懈谐邪 薪邪 孝芯褔懈褑邪 - 袚芯褉写褗薪 懈 孝邪锌懈褉邪. 袗 袚芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯 蟹薪邪械 锌褗褌褟 泻褗屑 褖邪褋褌懈械褌芯 褋械 锌芯褟胁褟胁邪 斜褍泻胁邪谢薪芯 褋褗胁褋械屑 薪邪胁褉械屑械: "袩褉芯谢械褌 械. 袠 褌邪褉邪谢械卸褗褌 械 蟹褗褉薪邪谢 芯褌写邪谢械褔 芯褔邪褉芯胁邪褌械谢薪邪 褌邪褉邪谢械卸泻邪. 袗 锌芯褋谢械 械 懈蟹斜褟谐邪谢! 袛芯斜褉械 褔械 懈屑邪 锌褉懈褟褌械谢 泻邪褌芯 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯 褋 薪械谐芯胁懈褌械 谐械褉芯泄褋泻懈 芯锌懈褌懈 写邪 屑褍 锌芯屑芯谐薪械 写邪 褋械 锌芯泻褉懈械 褋 褔械褋褌 懈 褋谢邪胁邪."
68 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
88 people want to read
About the author
Sebastian Meschenmoser
37听books28听followersSebastian Meschenmoser studied fine arts in Mainz, Germany. His illustrations were chosen from more than 2,700 entries and presented at the Children's Book Fair in Bologna in recognition of him being one of the most innovative new illustrators. As an accomplished artist with several exhibitions to his name, Sebastian Meschenmoser is among Germany's most successful and admired young illustrators for children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 18, 2019
Neo and I chose this book, as the days of spring will soon be done. With the coming of spring, Mr. Squirrel and his friends are ready to explore. Eating seems to be high on everyone鈥檚 agenda, though Hedgehog has no appetite. He has seen a Lady Hedgehog from afar and wants to dazzle her. With the help of Mr. Squirrel, they will try their best. It will surely take someone brave and willing to show off some might to win the heart of a Lady Hedgehog. Let the adventure begin.
Neo and I chose this book because we wanted something that could tell a good story and impress us with some wonderful illustrations. Sebastian Meschenmoser (what a mouthful for a children鈥檚 writer) creates a great story, which is complemented with great pencil drawings throughout. The story held Neo鈥檚 attention and proved to be the perfect way for him to end his day and this equinox!
This book fulfils Topic #6: Current Equinox of the Equinox #7 Reading Challenge
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
Neo and I chose this book because we wanted something that could tell a good story and impress us with some wonderful illustrations. Sebastian Meschenmoser (what a mouthful for a children鈥檚 writer) creates a great story, which is complemented with great pencil drawings throughout. The story held Neo鈥檚 attention and proved to be the perfect way for him to end his day and this equinox!
This book fulfils Topic #6: Current Equinox of the Equinox #7 Reading Challenge
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
March 22, 2018
There is an old joke here in America regarding the Germans and their sense of humor. Mainly, that they haven't got one. I've heard everything from Patton Oswalt routines to old commercials that state loudly, and for the record, that the Germans, for all their charms, are a humorless crew devoid of even a shred of hilarity. I can't say that this is true or untrue since I don't know any Germans personally. Really my primary associations with them is through their picture books. Picture books that, I should state for the record, are often incredibly funny. Why just this year we're seeing books like by Petra Postert, illustrated by Jens Rassmus and Good Night, Sleep Tight: Eleven-and-a-half Good Night Stories with Fox and Rabbit by Kristina Andres. Both books dive deep and come up with humor and levity. That said, the true German King of Comedy is undeniably Mr. Sebastian Meschenmoser. For years this author/illustrator has been a one-man juggernaut, producing sweet, wild, weird fare for young people worldwide. Now he's back with yet another adventure starring his intrepid Sciurus Vulgaris a.k.a. the European red squirrel. Readers who come across this book will be left with no uncertain understanding of whether or not Germans can crack a joke. The real question is, do they do it better than us?
And then it was spring. Mr. Squirrel has just poked his nose out of the den where he, a hedgehog, and a bear have slept away the winter and lo and behold spring has sprung. Mr. Squirrel couldn't be happier, running hither and thither, filling his little belly. The hedgehog, however, is too smitten to eat. He's seen a lovely lady of his own kind down by the pond and now he doesn't know what to do. Fortunately he has a good friend in Mr. Squirrel who has a plan. First, they'll find ferocious costumes. Next, they'll defeat the most dangerous creatures in the forest. Once they are proclaimed champions, the hedgehog will woo his lady properly. Things, as you may imagine, do not go as planned, but the Spring is young and there's plenty of time to set things right again in the future.
I'm in a weird position where I treat Sebastian Meschenmoser like an indie band that I was way into before everyone else. I can recall all of his early hits. Remember the first appearance of Mr. Squirrel back in 2009 when he, the hedgehog, and the bear watched for snow in ? How about the time Mr. Squirrel succumbed to guilt-laden nightmares ala old Charlie Chaplin films in (2015)? How sad is it that it wasn't until I read It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel that I realized that this was a series? Pretty sad. And yet, also pretty delightful. Meschenmoser has lost none of his charms over the years and if drawing deluded forest creatures is his raison d'etre, I say let him. After all, no one does a bleary squirrel quite like this guy.
Comparing Meschenmoser's art style to anyone else can be tricky, but I think I've finally hit on the artist he reminds me of the most. As odd as it may sound, there's more than a hair of in the man's work. Like Potter, Meschenmoser likes to pay close attention to an animal's form. There's some anthropomorphism at play, sure, but at heart you get the feeling he has a deeper understanding of the underlying bone and muscle structure of these furry forest denizens than your average joe. Even when they're doing particularly human-like things (reenacting a scene from Don Quixote comes to mind) their bodies aren't technically doing anything a real squirrel or hedgehog would be incapable of. Potter was hardly so sketchy and probably would have died rather than leave so many loose tufts in her work, but I think if she saw It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel! she wouldn't disown Mr. Squirrel as a distant relative of . Tonally, the books have much in common with one another too.
If, as I say, I've read Meschenmoser's work continually over the years, how has he changed in that time? Has his art improved? Does it look significantly different from the old days? At first glance it is very much the same, but I noticed something in this book that I'd not really paid adequate attention to before. The man's characters have always been expressive, but in this book the emotions are telegraphed with the most minute of details. Take the hedgehog. When recalling how he ran away from the lovely lady hedgehog, the artist gives the creature the very smallest slump of the shoulders and then a single line under the eye to signify a form of deep-seated regret. Later, when the squirrel and hedgehog realize that the ladylove is actually (spoiler alert) a well-propped hairbrush, their ears are the focus. Both animals have flattened them back on their heads, and it was only after many readings that I noticed the hedgehog had dropped the flowers from his hand in shock. Maybe Mr. Meschenmoser's pencil is a bit sketchier than it used to be, but for sheer tugging on the heartstrings, the man has come into his own.
None of this is to say the book is without flaw. The final costume that the hedgehog and squirrel adopt so as to prove their bravery has a very questionable plated grass skirt that made me more than a bit uncomfortable. It reminded me a bit of those old-timey illustrations of cannibals you'll sometimes run across in older children's books. The costume comes after a series of previous failed attempts and with its long teeth and flower petal ears it's clear that Meschenmoser is actually trying to replicate the look of a scary monster and not a human. Still, grass skirts aren't without their history and I for one breathed a sigh of relief when the friends removed them later on.
Here in America there is no official award for funny books for kids. Nor is there much to offer picture books in translation. I'd love to say that German picture books have some kind of award here, but nope. Imports in general get the short end of the stick when medal season rolls around. It's probably safe to say that here in The States, It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel! won't win a single stinking plaque/sticker/etc. And you know what? That's okay. It's going to be one of those little gems glinting on the shelves. A random hand will grab it, discover it, and find out that it's not only amazing but part of a longstanding series. Then maybe it'll spread by word of mouth. Kids will adore it. Parents will laud it. It will be a classic in homes around the nation. Hey, man. If furry little creatures like the ones you find here can dream, then so can I. A perfect Spring cocktail of merriment and delight. But let's just keep that our little secret.
For ages 4-7.
And then it was spring. Mr. Squirrel has just poked his nose out of the den where he, a hedgehog, and a bear have slept away the winter and lo and behold spring has sprung. Mr. Squirrel couldn't be happier, running hither and thither, filling his little belly. The hedgehog, however, is too smitten to eat. He's seen a lovely lady of his own kind down by the pond and now he doesn't know what to do. Fortunately he has a good friend in Mr. Squirrel who has a plan. First, they'll find ferocious costumes. Next, they'll defeat the most dangerous creatures in the forest. Once they are proclaimed champions, the hedgehog will woo his lady properly. Things, as you may imagine, do not go as planned, but the Spring is young and there's plenty of time to set things right again in the future.
I'm in a weird position where I treat Sebastian Meschenmoser like an indie band that I was way into before everyone else. I can recall all of his early hits. Remember the first appearance of Mr. Squirrel back in 2009 when he, the hedgehog, and the bear watched for snow in ? How about the time Mr. Squirrel succumbed to guilt-laden nightmares ala old Charlie Chaplin films in (2015)? How sad is it that it wasn't until I read It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel that I realized that this was a series? Pretty sad. And yet, also pretty delightful. Meschenmoser has lost none of his charms over the years and if drawing deluded forest creatures is his raison d'etre, I say let him. After all, no one does a bleary squirrel quite like this guy.
Comparing Meschenmoser's art style to anyone else can be tricky, but I think I've finally hit on the artist he reminds me of the most. As odd as it may sound, there's more than a hair of in the man's work. Like Potter, Meschenmoser likes to pay close attention to an animal's form. There's some anthropomorphism at play, sure, but at heart you get the feeling he has a deeper understanding of the underlying bone and muscle structure of these furry forest denizens than your average joe. Even when they're doing particularly human-like things (reenacting a scene from Don Quixote comes to mind) their bodies aren't technically doing anything a real squirrel or hedgehog would be incapable of. Potter was hardly so sketchy and probably would have died rather than leave so many loose tufts in her work, but I think if she saw It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel! she wouldn't disown Mr. Squirrel as a distant relative of . Tonally, the books have much in common with one another too.
If, as I say, I've read Meschenmoser's work continually over the years, how has he changed in that time? Has his art improved? Does it look significantly different from the old days? At first glance it is very much the same, but I noticed something in this book that I'd not really paid adequate attention to before. The man's characters have always been expressive, but in this book the emotions are telegraphed with the most minute of details. Take the hedgehog. When recalling how he ran away from the lovely lady hedgehog, the artist gives the creature the very smallest slump of the shoulders and then a single line under the eye to signify a form of deep-seated regret. Later, when the squirrel and hedgehog realize that the ladylove is actually (spoiler alert) a well-propped hairbrush, their ears are the focus. Both animals have flattened them back on their heads, and it was only after many readings that I noticed the hedgehog had dropped the flowers from his hand in shock. Maybe Mr. Meschenmoser's pencil is a bit sketchier than it used to be, but for sheer tugging on the heartstrings, the man has come into his own.
None of this is to say the book is without flaw. The final costume that the hedgehog and squirrel adopt so as to prove their bravery has a very questionable plated grass skirt that made me more than a bit uncomfortable. It reminded me a bit of those old-timey illustrations of cannibals you'll sometimes run across in older children's books. The costume comes after a series of previous failed attempts and with its long teeth and flower petal ears it's clear that Meschenmoser is actually trying to replicate the look of a scary monster and not a human. Still, grass skirts aren't without their history and I for one breathed a sigh of relief when the friends removed them later on.
Here in America there is no official award for funny books for kids. Nor is there much to offer picture books in translation. I'd love to say that German picture books have some kind of award here, but nope. Imports in general get the short end of the stick when medal season rolls around. It's probably safe to say that here in The States, It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel! won't win a single stinking plaque/sticker/etc. And you know what? That's okay. It's going to be one of those little gems glinting on the shelves. A random hand will grab it, discover it, and find out that it's not only amazing but part of a longstanding series. Then maybe it'll spread by word of mouth. Kids will adore it. Parents will laud it. It will be a classic in homes around the nation. Hey, man. If furry little creatures like the ones you find here can dream, then so can I. A perfect Spring cocktail of merriment and delight. But let's just keep that our little secret.
For ages 4-7.
April 5, 2018
The illustrations and great story had me laughing and then heartbroken and then smiling at the end of this very satisfying children's book.
July 23, 2018
This is the second of Meschenmouser's Squirrel, Hedgehog, and Bear picture books.
One morning Mr. Squirrel awakens to find that the world has changed. It's spring and everything is now bright and colorful.
It's spring!" roared the bear. Let's lie in the sun, stroll through the meadows, and fill our tummies with fine food!"
Mr. Squirrel takes Bear's advice, but Hedgehog has been to the lake and has spotted a lady hedgehog that he is head over heels excited about meeting. Squirrel, wanting to help out, suggests the best way to gain her attention and heart is to show her how brave and strong he is.
Readers should laugh as Squirrel offers his assistance in helping his friend look fierce, which any squirrel should know is an important factor in impressing a lady. After concocting the perfect costume, Squirrel helps Hedgehog search for a suitable opponent.
Bear! The perfect opponent. So when Bear falls asleep after his large meal, the two jump on his back claiming fame and glory. The next step? Why taking the lady some beautiful flowers, of course. We see Hedgehog hold two yellow flowers as Mr. Squirrel pushes him toward the pond where his new lady resides.
What will they find at the pond?
What Concerned Me: Though Meschenmoser is a noted illustrator for children, I can't say I was taken with the scratchy, rather messy pencil drawings.
What I Liked Most: The text has some humor that is fun, however, I'm not sure if kids will totally appreciate it.
More:
One morning Mr. Squirrel awakens to find that the world has changed. It's spring and everything is now bright and colorful.
It's spring!" roared the bear. Let's lie in the sun, stroll through the meadows, and fill our tummies with fine food!"
Mr. Squirrel takes Bear's advice, but Hedgehog has been to the lake and has spotted a lady hedgehog that he is head over heels excited about meeting. Squirrel, wanting to help out, suggests the best way to gain her attention and heart is to show her how brave and strong he is.
Readers should laugh as Squirrel offers his assistance in helping his friend look fierce, which any squirrel should know is an important factor in impressing a lady. After concocting the perfect costume, Squirrel helps Hedgehog search for a suitable opponent.
Bear! The perfect opponent. So when Bear falls asleep after his large meal, the two jump on his back claiming fame and glory. The next step? Why taking the lady some beautiful flowers, of course. We see Hedgehog hold two yellow flowers as Mr. Squirrel pushes him toward the pond where his new lady resides.
What will they find at the pond?
What Concerned Me: Though Meschenmoser is a noted illustrator for children, I can't say I was taken with the scratchy, rather messy pencil drawings.
What I Liked Most: The text has some humor that is fun, however, I'm not sure if kids will totally appreciate it.
More:
March 9, 2018
I must LOVE Meschenmoser's Mr. Squirrel books! This is the second one of them I've found and it's as fun as the first one I saw! This one revolves around mistaken identities and had me laughing! I am sure a child and, even an adult, would find the story amusing! Poor hedgie; but it's still early spring, there is hope yet. The illustrations were priceless, as I have come to expect. The animals are a real hoot! great story!
April 12, 2018
Incredible illustrations. Adorable story.
September 10, 2022
Carrefour viata mea
March 27, 2018
I had been (only sort of) avoiding this book because the art style wasn't for me. A coworker and I picked it up tonight and spent the entire time laughing and enjoying the story. It definitely appealed to my inner kid, and the ending had me on the floor from laughter. Hedgehog and I would get along quite well--what with the refusing to eat due to seeing a pretty lady and passively going along on a madman's quest for Fame and Glory.
By the end, the art had become more endearing for me, and the story had me enthralled. 10/10 would read again, and 10/10 would definitely read to a kid while doing what I could to control my own laughter.
By the end, the art had become more endearing for me, and the story had me enthralled. 10/10 would read again, and 10/10 would definitely read to a kid while doing what I could to control my own laughter.
November 14, 2019
Oh my heart! I laughed until I cried. . .then I cried. The end reminded me of the Disney short The Ugly Duckling.
January 30, 2025
"袚芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯 蟹薪邪械 锌褗褌褟 泻褗屑 褖邪褋褌懈械褌芯" 芯褌 小械斜邪褋褌懈邪薪 袦械褕械薪屑褜芯蟹械褉, 懈蟹写邪写械薪邪 芯褌 "孝芯褔懈褑邪," 械 械写薪邪 薪械褌懈锌懈褔薪邪 懈 蟹邪泻邪褔谢懈胁邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟 蟹邪 锌褉芯谢械褌薪懈 锌褉懈泻谢褞褔械薪懈褟鈥� 袗 锌褉械蟹 锌褉芯谢械褌褌邪 褋褗褉褑邪褌邪 薪懈 斜懈褟褌 锌芯-懈薪邪褔械. 袠 锌械锌械褉褍写懈 蟹邪锌芯褔胁邪褌 写邪 锌褗褉褏邪褌 胁 泻芯褉械屑懈褌械 薪懈. 袝写懈薪 胁谢褞斜械薪 褌邪褉邪谢械卸 褖械 锌芯谢褍褔懈 锌芯屑芯褖 芯褌 褋胁芯褟 胁械褉械薪 锌褉懈褟褌械谢, 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袣邪褌械褉懈褔泻芯鈥� 薪芯 写邪谢懈 写褉褍卸薪懈褌械 褍褋懈谢懈褟 褖械 褍褋锌械褟褌 写邪 谐褉邪斜薪邪褌 胁薪懈屑邪薪懈械褌芯 薪邪 斜芯写谢懈胁邪褌邪 懈蟹斜褉邪薪懈褑邪 懈谢懈鈥� 泻褉邪褟褌 褖械 械 锌芯-薪械芯褔邪泻胁邪薪? 袩褉芯褔械褌械褌械 褉械胁褞褌芯 薪邪 鈥炐毿叫感缎叫� 袣褉懈谢械鈥�:
March 13, 2018
There is humor for all ages in this ode to spring and romance. Hedgehog is adorable with leaves stuck to his quills and his inability to eat due his sighting of a lady hedgehog. His friend Squirrel is hilarious in his advice. The eight wordless pages in the center of the book with Squirrel determining just the right look to win fame and glory will have both kids and adults giggling. Adults will recognize the homage to Don Quixote, kids will delight in the attack on bear, and all will feel for Hedgehog when the lady...isn't. But all is fine because there are friends.
April 27, 2024
Oh goodness, I say it again, I think I have a new favorite picture book author. I would not say children's author, because honestly, I feel these books are targeting an adult audience more than a children's audience. The illustrations are amazing. I love the details and the expression on the faces of the animals. This was a great story, and I loved the ending (kind of).
Honestly, I absolutely recommend this book. It's as simple as that.
Honestly, I absolutely recommend this book. It's as simple as that.
June 2, 2018
This is a sweet friendship story. There are very few words, but the story in the illustrations made me laugh out loud many times. When hedgehog sees the girl of his dreams, Mr. Squirrel is there to help. This book will touch every one of your emotions. Worthy of reading and looking at over and over again. Now I must see his other books.
October 27, 2018
What a delightful book!!! I love when surprises come across my library desk and I really enjoy them. The illustrations are a bit rough, but in that pencil illustrations is what brings these great characters to life. The surprise ending makes you want to agree with the mallard.
check it out from YOUR local public library!!
check it out from YOUR local public library!!
November 14, 2018
I loved this little book. Sadly I'm looking for a book with narration throughout and there were many pages that were just pictures. If I were looking at this book as a present to give without an 'audio book recording' I would snag it in a heartbeat. The story is cute, the illustrations are amazing.
February 2, 2019
It's finally spring and Squirrel, Hedgehog and Bear are relishing in the warm air and eating everything they can find. Until. . . hedgehog sees a beautiful lady hedgehog and can no longer eat. He's in love. Squirrel thinks that Hedgehog needs to become famous by completing a quest. Once done, he is free to meet his love. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 16, 2018
This book is hilarious! I absolutely laughed out loud - more than once! I loved the characters in Mr. Squirrel and the Moon, and now I love them even more. Not only is the story funny and suspenseful, the artwork is exquisite! Just a beautiful, wonderful book.
April 11, 2018
This made me laugh out loud several times. I love Meschenmoser's illustrations so much and the humor in both plot and illustrations makes me love his work. Definitely a book (and author!) I am adding to my purchasing list!
May 18, 2018
Still the delightful squirrel from Waiting for Winter and the story of his friend and his hedgehog lady love is amusing. I am positive none of my children got the visual reference to Don Quixote. Loved it.
May 26, 2018
This book surprised me with it humor and twist. I thought it was just going to be about the signs of spring, in terms of foliage, but it had romance as well. Great book to add to my season collection.
December 19, 2018
It鈥檚 always hard to pick a favorite picture book but this one may be my favorite of the year. I鈥檓 going to try it out on a 3 year old soon to get here reaction. I made my husband read it and he laughed uproariously.
May 30, 2019
Un libro de una delicadeza inmensa, de un humor inocente y muy bien logrado, tierno, con un final sorpresivo, con unas ilustraciones incre铆bles que hablan por s铆 solas y enriquecen el poco texto.
馃摎
Una historia para disfrutar y sentirse nuevamente como un ni帽o.
馃摎
Una historia para disfrutar y sentirse nuevamente como un ni帽o.
Read
September 15, 2020The art: whimsical. The message: whimsical. The book: whimsical. I ooh-ed and aw-ed (as in awesome artwork!) and giggled through the whole thing. Take it out and see if you can come up with some different adjectives!
August 25, 2021
I enjoy squirrel and his friends, but squirrel got it wrong this time. You win favor by authenticity and kindness, not by fake daring-do. So the fake femme fatale, well, what goes around... Not much empathy for a sad hedgehog.
August 28, 2023
Mooie lieve prenten, lief en grappig verhaal waarbij tekst en prenten afwisselend en samen vertellen wat er gebeurt. Heel knap en onverwachte ontknoping! Het blijkt een deel te zijn uit een serie over Mijnheer Eekhoorn, dus ik wil ze allemaal lezen!
February 7, 2018
This was definitely a quirky read. Best shared one-on-one as the details of the illustrations would be difficult in a group. Got a good chuckle out of me...
February 26, 2018
Only wordless for about half of the book. Older children would like the illustrations and appreciate the story.
April 3, 2018
I loved this book. Such great illustrations and a great ending!
April 9, 2018
Charming, adorable, and funny. Wonderful illustrations.
April 10, 2018
April 2018 - delightful and funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.