The Girl and the Squirrel

Ruby spends every morning in her garden, wearing her mustard yellow raincoat and green rubber boots, eager to see who is visiting. The tall, leafy trees are alive with singing birds and buzzing bugs, but Ruby's favourite visitors are the squirrels, with their russet-orange fur and big bushy tails that curl over their backs like fluffy question marks. One bold squirrel with tufted ears and glossy black eyes catches her attention, and she names it Nibbles. She watches it leap from branch to branch and hide an acorn in the grass, saving it for later.

When a man in a hard hat tells Ruby's dad that the old trees might have to come down because they are getting too old and might fall, Ruby's heart thumps. She does not want the squirrels to lose their homes. With her family's help, she sets out to show the tree expert why the trees matter: she draws pictures of Nibbles and the other squirrels, her mum writes a letter to the town council, and her dad builds a wooden sign painted with a squirrel. Ruby finds the courage to speak to the man herself and to explain that the squirrels need the trees for homes and safe places to play, just as people need their houses. This gentle tale by Jane MEADOW follows a curious, observant child who turns worry into quiet, practical action, and it shows how a family can work together on a shared problem. Young readers learn about squirrels, their nests and their habit of hiding nuts for winter, and about why old trees matter to wildlife. It is a story about caring for nature, speaking up for what you believe in, and finding solutions through patience and cooperation. The Girl and the Squirrel can be read on Kids Tale Book.