The scene: the whole family is sprawled in the master bed this morning. I’m still groggy and not quite awake. Hazel has a toothbrush in her mouth and I tell her to be careful so she doesn’t ram it down her throat as she rolls around the bed.
Hazel responds: No, you be careful.
Aline jumps in: If you don’t start moving soon, your muscles will start to atrophy.
Ouch. Zinger. I think that was her subtle way of telling me to get out of bed.
Old Man Fookwire is a grump who only likes to paint pictures of 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 birdfeeders filled with seeds and berries. Unfortunately, the squirrels like the treats, too, and make a daring raid on the feeders. The conflict escalates-until the birds depart (as usual), and the squirrels come up with a plan that charms the old grump.
My take: How can you not like a book where you get to say Googlie Mooglie, raise your fist and yell “Those darned squirrels”?
