Party of One? Scaredy Squirrel Has A Birthday Party by Melanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel has a problem. He's afraid of almost everyone and most things----CONFETTI and CLOWNFISH, PONIES AND PORCUPINES, ANTS, and of course, BIGFOOT! And especially birthday parties.

Not birthday cake, of course.

But Scaredy Squirrel wants a birthday party, with cake!

Scaredy Squirrel decides to do his own birthday party of one. But first, he has to do due diligence--examine his exact birth data, get his tuxedo dry-cleaned, research the perfect birthday cake, build up his breathing to blow up birthday balloons, mail an invitation to himself only--all the essentials. But as he goes to mail himself the invitation, he finds a birthday card in his mailbox.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE. I JUST HAD TO BE THE FIRST
TO WISH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Sincerely, Buddy

Awww! So sweet! Scaredy screws his courage up the the sticking point and mails his invitation to Buddy!

But inviting a guest is one risky move!

Still, Scaredy tries to prepare for every eventuality. He baits his casting rod with a carrot to divert ponies. He puts up a tent to shelter from falling confetti. He sets up perimeter surveillance for any roaming Big Foots. He puts on goggles and earmuffs in case a Porcupine pierces the perimeter and pops the balloons. He makes a list of party faux pas to avoid. He comes up with a list of acceptable conversational gambits.

Scaredy Squirrel is as ready as he'll ever be!

SURPRISE! PARTY ANIMALS APPEAR.

Scaredy can't handle an unplanned event!

Scaredy Squirrel panics... and plays dead.

But two hours later, when he recovers, Scaredy finds everything in perfect order, with Buddy Dog dishing out slices of delicious nut cake to a polite circle of puppies.

All is well and Scaredy Squirrel's first birthday party is a splendid success, in Melanie Watt's story of a successful shindig, Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party (Kids Can Press). Scaredy is a super stand-in for the worrywarts among us, which says that planning is always a good thing, but is never perfect, and that surprises can be a good thing as well. For Watts' first book about her quirky character, check out her Scaredy Squirrel and its nervous sequels! (See review here.)