Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, I fell in love with picture books and the magical, whimsical worlds they opened! I recall snuggling up and listening to these tales being read to me. Later, after a bit of a struggle, I learned to read myself. From there, there was no stopping me. My library card was my most treasured, most loved possession! I quickly moved on to chapter books, then to novels, but never outgrew my love and passion for picture books! As a former teacher and now great-grandparent, I treasure the opportunity to usher children down the rabbit hole of reading!


I wrote

Bright-Eyes, Bushy-Tail, And The Nutty Narrows Bridge

By Donna Howard, Jill Shih (illustrator),

Book cover of Bright-Eyes, Bushy-Tail, And The Nutty Narrows Bridge

What is my book about?

Two young squirrels, Bright-Eyes and Bushy-Tail, land with a bump and a thump on their rumps at the foot ofā€¦

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Donna Howard Why did I love this book?

I am recommending this book because I fell in love with it as a child.

First, those beautiful watercolor illustrations of pure whimsy and secondly, I secretly loved the mischievous squirrel Nutkin and his riddles. As an adult, I love cuddling with my family's nutkins and sharing a laugh and a lesson on the sly.

There is just something special about sharing with your grandchildren a book you loved as a child!

By Beatrix Potter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is an original classic by Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix Potter's famous tale of a naughty squirrel who loses his tail is as popular today as it was when it was first published over 100 years ago. Join Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry and all his cousins as they make their way over to Owl Island to gather nuts. See what happens when Old Brown, the terrifying owl guardian of the island decides he has had enough of silly Nutkin's cheekiness! Ouch!!

Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. Fromā€¦


Book cover of Those Darn Squirrels!

Donna Howard Why did I love this book?

Remember the grouchy old guy who yelled at you for being on this lawn? Well, this is the hilarious squirrel version! I admit, laughed way too hard at this battle of wits stories.

Secretly, I was rooting for the squirrels! What I loved about this book is that the squirrels are the ones that find the charming solution that allows all to live in peace and co-exist!

By Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Those Darn Squirrels! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Little ones and grown-ups will giggle through multiple reads of Those Darn Squirrels!

From the creators of Dragons Love Tacos comes the story of what happens when a grumpy old man and some mischievous squirrels match witsā€”with hilarious results.

Old Man Fookwire is a grump. The only thing he likes to do is paint pictures of the birds that visit his backyard. The problem is, they fly south every winter, leaving him sad and lonely.

So he decides to get them to stay by putting up beautiful bird feeders filled with seeds and berries. Unfortunately, the squirrels like the treats,ā€¦


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Book cover of This Animal Body

This Animal Body by Meredith Walters,

Neuroscience PhD student Frankie Conner has finally gotten her life togetherā€”sheā€™s determined to discover the cause of her depression and find a cure for herself and everyone like her. But the first day of her program, she meets a group of talking animals who have an urgent message they refuseā€¦

Book cover of The Secret Life of Squirrels

Donna Howard Why did I love this book?

I love, love, love books that are full of whimsy, and feed my childhood soul. Boy, does this book deliver! Featuring squirrels in miniature, homemade sets enjoying everyday experiences and tiny moments.

By Nancy Rose,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Secret Life of Squirrels as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Adorable squirrels as you've never seen them!

You may think you know what squirrels do all day...but Mr. Peanuts is no ordinary squirrel. Instead of climbing trees, he plays the piano. ('Moonlight Sonutta' is his favourite.) Instead of scurrying through the woods, he reads books (such as A Tail of Two Cities). But everything is more fun with company, so Mr. Peanuts writes a letter to Cousin Squirrel and invites him for a visit!

Featuring candid photographs of wild squirrels in handcrafted, homemade miniature settings, this irresistible book is sure to surprise and delight readers and animal lovers of everyā€¦


Book cover of Olly, The Lone Red Squirrel

Donna Howard Why did I love this book?

This book is by an Indie author like me! It is the modern, squirrel version of Rudolph, The Red Nose Reindeer! Being a ginger myself I totally related to Olly and his human friend.

Also, check out the gorgeous illustrations!! All that and a powerful message about bullying? Count me in!

By Larissa Soares, Olga Volgina (illustrator), Kay Hollywood (editor)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Olly, The Lone Red Squirrel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Charming Childrenā€™s Book on Squirrels, Nature, and Inclusion.

"Olly is ared squirrel who enjoys watching the gray squirrels playing outside. He longs to be part of that fluffy group and to be their friend. Whenever he approaches the other squirrels, he is rejected because he is different.
Not being accepted, Olly feels lonely and sad, until unexpected gifts from the forest change everything."

ā˜…ā˜…ā˜… A beautifully illustrated story that raises awareness of bullying and racism, showing the importance of kindness, friendship, diversity and inclusion. ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…

"My niece (6 years old) and I really enjoyed reading this warm and heartfeltā€¦


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Book cover of Radical Friend: Amy Kirby Post and Her Activist Worlds

Radical Friend by Nancy A. Hewitt,

Radical Friend highlights the remarkable life of Amy Kirby Post, a nineteenth-century abolitionist and women's rights activist who created deep friendships across the color line to promote social justice. Her relationships with Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Sojourner Truth, William C. Nell, and other Black activists from the 1840s to theā€¦

Book cover of Nuts About Squirrels: The Rodents That Conquered Popular Culture

Donna Howard Why did I love this book?

This Squirrel book covers all the history and serves it with a big dose of nostalgia!

Do you recall being perched in front of the telly, bowl of Fruit Loops in hand, watching the latest episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle? I sure do! All your favorite, beloved squirrels are here. It's like the Who's, Who of the Squirrel World!

By Don H. Corrigan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Nuts About Squirrels as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Nuts About Squirrels is the first book to provide a comprehensive look at how the bushy-tailed creatures have found their way into the mass media, as well as in mythology and folklore of the past. Squirrels are ubiquitous media marvels and Corrigan covers their treatment in books, newspapers, television, movies, public relations, advertising, video games and more.

Nuts About Squirrels is a fun read, whether you love or loathe these furry characters that inhabit our backyards, city parks, forests, purple mountains and fruited plains. They are all here: Nutkin and Timmy Tiptoes from the classic books of Beatrix Potter; Bullwinkleā€¦


Explore my book šŸ˜€

Bright-Eyes, Bushy-Tail, And The Nutty Narrows Bridge

By Donna Howard, Jill Shih (illustrator),

Book cover of Bright-Eyes, Bushy-Tail, And The Nutty Narrows Bridge

What is my book about?

Two young squirrels, Bright-Eyes and Bushy-Tail, land with a bump and a thump on their rumps at the foot of a humongous squirrel while out playing in the park. They had a ton of questions. Grandpa Greyson had a story to tell. Join them and hear this heart-warming tale, inspired by the true story of Amos Peters and The Nutty Narrows Bridge: The very first squirrel bridge which was built in Longview, WA. This book is informational fiction. Although it is based on and inspired by a true story it does contain fictional elements. 

Book cover of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Book cover of Those Darn Squirrels!
Book cover of The Secret Life of Squirrels

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The Model Spy by Maryka Biaggio,

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Interested in squirrels, owls, and friendships?

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