• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 4 to 8

That lovable little worrywart is back. And he's as scaredy as ever! In his latest adventure, Scaredy Squirrel sets out to make The Perfect Friend.

And once he's spotted a perfectly safe candidate (with no teeth), Scaredy's ready. Armed with a name tag, mittens, a mirror and a lemon, he's prepared to make The Perfect First Impression. But just when every detail is under control, Scaredy's Action Plan takes a surprising --- and “toothy” --- turn. Will he survive this ordeal? Will he find his kindred spirit? Will he discover the true meaning of friendship? Read Scaredy's nutty story to find out ...

La jeune auteure-illustratrice Mélanie Watt, née à Trois-Rivières, a remporté pour son travail de prestigieuses récompenses, dont le Prix Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz, le Prix Blue Spruce et le Prix Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon, tous les trois pour Frisson l'écureuil.

It was in a design class taught by Michèle Lemieux at the University of Quebec in Montreal that author and illustrator Mélanie Watt created her first picture book, Leon the Chameleon, which was later published by Kids Can Press. Watt went on to create several more books, including the Learning with Animals collection and Augustine, which was named an ALA Notable Children's Book. Watt has also illustrated Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night? and Bearcub and Mama, which won the 2006 IRA Teachers” Choices Project.

Mélanie's best known book, Scaredy Squirrel, has won many awards, including the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children”s Book Award for Children”s Picture Book and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator”s Award. The release of Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend was met with enthusiastic reviews and incredible sales, confirming the arrival of kid lit's newest superstar. Chester, Chester's Back! and Chester's Masterpiece are about a megalomaniac cat who is every bit the antithesis to Scaredy. Chester has already become a bestseller, and shows the breadth and creativity of Mélanie Watt.

Scaredy returns to take a few more tentative steps out of his comfort zone in Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach and Scaredy Squirrel at Night. Mélanie has often noted how the Scaredy Squirrel books helped her work out her own insecurities and fears, as the success of these titles has required her to venture out into the unknown, and like Scaredy she has found the experience truly uplifting.

Mélanie currently resides near Montreal, Quebec.

Melanie Watt's profile page

• Winner, Libris Award - Children's Author of the Year, Canadian Booksellers Association
• Winner, Libris Award - Children's Illustrator of the Year, Canadian Booksellers Association
• Short-listed, Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award
• Short-listed, Red Clover Children's Choice Picture Book, Mother Goose Programs
• Winner, Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association
• Commended, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award
• Winner, Best Bets Picture Book, Ontario Library Association

[E]bullient artwork, clever layout, and lively text ...

School Library Journal

Fans will hope for much more from this endearing fellow.

Publishers Weekly

Children will identify with Scaredy Squirrel's anxiety about making new friends. They will find his over-the-top fears amusing.

CM Magazine

[A] true original on the picture book scene.

Canadian Bookseller

Muted-color illustrations downplay Scaredy's anxieties and highlight the silliness of his over-the top tactics; playfully varied page designs add liveliness to a lighthearted story that doesn't take itself too seriously ...

Horn Book

The humor is silly enough that kids with their own scaredy tendencies won't feel preached at, and others will just appreciate the delicious ridiculousness that doesn't keep Scaredy for getting the friend he needs.

Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Literature