Awards

• Commended for Texas 2x2 Reading List 2007

Overview

An exuberant squirrel and a shy mouse discover that reaching out to someone who's not like you may be challenging, but can yield some surprising rewards. Halfway up an old pecan tree lives Nutmeg, a chatty red squirrel who loves bright sunshine, gossiping with friends, and most of all, dancing. Burrowing below in a hollow log is Barley, an unsociable gray mouse who prefers cool shade, playing solitaire, and most of all, relaxing at the end of the day with a little music. What could these neighbors possibly have in common? Luckily, an unexpected development leads to an unlikely friendship in this charming story about bridging differences with kindness, thoughtfulness -- and the help of a few lively tunes.

Full Product Details

9780763623821

Table of Contents

Reviews

The setting is Moosejaw County where two neighbors have nothing in common. Nutmeg is a vivacious red squirrel; she's loud, sociable and dances each night to evening music. Barley, a gray mouse, is contemplative, an avid gardener, solitaire player and sips his tea alone. He enjoys music for relaxation. In two words, they are the odd couple of animal land. Nutmeg finds a gift of flowers on her doorstep and visits Barley to thank him. She misunderstands his squeaky, sneezing voice and returns to her tree miserable for days. She visits again only to find Barley ill and feverish. In the switch to caregiver, Nutmeg also discovers the source of her dancing music and the key to learning how to get along with others. Bynum's lush watercolors are textured with soft pencil lines and pastels; she uses fall hues beginning with acorn and oak-leaf endpapers and abundant small details. The universal need for flexibility in successful relationships is the core of this simple colorful story. (Picture book. 3-8) (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

JANIE BYNUM is the author-illustrator of several books for children, including ALTOONA BABOONA. She says, ""When I sat down to write Nutmeg and Barley, I was thinking about how opposites tend to attract. I also wanted to explore the consequences of miscommunication -- so common in all types of relationships. Finally, and probably most important, Nutmeg and Barley is about how friends nurture each other -- in spite of little tiffs or differences.""

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