Griczika, Michelle. Briggs vs. the Squirrels. Tails and Tales. Lerner, 01/2025. 64pp. Fiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765648520. Paper $12.99. 979-8765649640. GRADES 2–3. ADDITIONAL.
SERIES REVIEW: Featuring anthropomorphic animals, these short chapter books include a few b&w illustrations, end-of-chapter questions, and phonics-based activities at the end of each book. This reviewer read four of the eight titles, each of which focuses on a specific animal, or group of animals, and various situations to resolve. Two of the stories are close to possible: Briggs, a fox, convinces some rabbits to help him defeat some food-stealing squirrels; and Shadow, a black lab, recruits forest animals to help him retrieve a necklace a crow stole from his girl. The other two stories are more fantasy or science fiction: skunks in the Space Defense Force investigate a problem at a space station; and a library cat works with a mouse to write and illustrate a book that helps fight a plan to close the library. Each story is engaging, self-contained, and could help new readers enjoy chapter books.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library