K-Gr 2--The Unlimited Squirrels return for even more "acorn-y" fun, and there are "emote-acorns" punctuating the story as emojis do. True to established series structure, this is an easy reader told in interconnected vignettes with those acorn-y jokes in between, and a Table of Condiments so nothing gets lost. Zoom Squirrel dreams of sleeping under the stars, and Zip Squirrel is determined to help make that happen! But when Zip recruits all the squirrels to help encourage Zoom, the plan goes awry. The main story is followed by two additional (mostly) expository vignettes on the sleep habits of animals and the movement of the stars, and all of this is tied together with zany humor. Clean, crisp character drawings with sparse text lettered in various sizes and weights are encapsulated in speech bubbles. Educators know that Willems's simplicity is deceiving--the vocabulary and punning are unforgettable language lessons in disguise. This is a fun mix of fiction and expository writing that will appeal to both children and adults--conducted by characters with names like Wink, Flink, and Klink, and populated by an esprit de corps with bushy tails (although Flappy Squirrel is a bird). VERDICT A first purchase where previous titles by Willems are popular--where are they not?--Jessica Caron, Bancroft Sch., MA

Zoom Squirrel's yen to find peace and quiet sleeping under the stars almost goes a-glimmering when the rest of the Unlimited Squirrels crew rockets in to help--marching about as Team Peace and Team Quiet. They create such a ruckus that night has turned to day before Zoom finally nods off, but then, steadfastly refusing to give up on a friend, they silently regather to dangle homemade stars overhead. Along with thematically apt, groan-inducing jokes, Willems continues to incorporate strong instructional elements into his latest easy reader series, inserting the occasional chewy vocabulary word into large-type bursts of chatter that are positively festooned with exclamation points. In the illustrations, he switches from simple cartoons to diagrams and photos that go with smaller-type introductions to stars and to the sleeping habits of squirrels and armadillos (and plants), offering further facts on a dedicated website. The language and (with the possible exception of a squirrel named Norman) the entire multihued rodentine cast is non-gender-specific. Always another gag to giggle over, too.

This installment of the early-reader series (I Lost My Tooth!, rev. 11/18; Who Is the Mystery Reader?) follows the format of silly main story, some informational follow-up, and three "A-corny" joke interludes. The "BIG Story!" concerns the Squirrel friends' attempts to make Zoom Squirrel's dream of sleeping "under the stars" come true. The gang is full of good if misguided intentions: enthusiastic cheering ("GO, ZOOMY! GO, ZOOMY! GO, ZOOMY!") and rival teams "PEACE!" and "Quiet!" keep Zoom awake until "THE STARS ARE GONE!" In one of two (mostly) nonfiction sections, shades-wearing "Squirrel to the Stars" Nutshell reveals that the stars aren't really gone and a few other astral facts. Quiz Squirrel's "Fur Real" provides information about sleep habits of squirrels, armadillos, and house plants. Color-coded speech balloons and Willems's reliably expressive cartoon characters aid comprehension; "Emote-acorns" show up "when the Squirrels have BIG feelings" to reinforce the mood. This genre mash-up has what it takes to encourage newly independent readers: "En-cour-aged'? What does that mean?' Being told you can do it by a friend.'" Kitty Flynn January/February 2021 p.120(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A star-themed bedtime story--and so much more! The Unlimited Squirrels' third series entry offers a "BIG Story!" along with a smorgasbord of squirrelly miscellany (jokes, a quiz, and facts). In the "BIG Story," Zoom Squirrel dreams of sleeping under the stars for the first time. So, Zip Squirrel summons five other pals to help make it happen. At first the squirrels are uncertain how to help, but one suggests they all offer encouragement since Zoom Squirrel is trying something new ("Being encouraged gives me courage!"). The friends form a squirrel pyramid and chant "GO, ZOOMY!" and "YOU CAN DO IT!" But their encouragement doesn't quite land. Zoom Squirrel wants "PEACE and QUIET," not encouragement. The friends assume they're simply using the wrong cheer so they split up into teams to shout "PEACE!" and whisper "Quiet!" By the time Zoom Squirrel corrects them again, it's morning and the stars are gone! Having established the series formula, Willems is now free to explore it, and the installments get better and better. The smart design and layout uses color-coding and "emote-acorns" to help emerging readers decipher not only words and textual features, but feelings. The fact-based sections playfully combine photographs with Willems' cartoon illustrations. In lieu of a bibliography to support the informational content, Willems thanks experts--a nod at citation but one that, unfortunately, doesn't help readers who want to investigate further. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-13-inch double-page spreads viewed at 76% of actual size.) Go, Unlimited Squirrels! Go, readers! (Early reader. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.