Scaredy Squirrel at Night. 11 min. Dist. by Weston Woods. 2015. $59.95. ISBN 9780545879231.

PreS-Gr 3 –Scaredy Squirrel lives up to his name. He’s nervous about everything. This picture book by Mélanie Watt (Kids Can, 2009) addresses his nighttime issues—fear of ghosts, bats, polka-dot monsters, and more. It’s delightful on its own, but this production augments the story through clever animation, drawing viewers in and emphasizing all the humorous asides that might be missed by casual readers. It turns out this tale works much better as an animated work than a static book. (Who knew?) Original music, with lilting lullaby themes, accompanies the enthusiastic narration by David de Vries to create a delight that will tickle children and adults. VERDICT This is a highly amusing romp that addresses a common childhood issue. It merits a place in libraries serving children.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA