Today, on National Squirrel Appreciation Day, I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of the latest picture book by my dear friend and critique partner, Hayley Barrett! Hayley is the author of BABYMOON, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and WHAT MISS MITCHELL SAW, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. Her next picture book, GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL, is a funny, lighthearted story about a girl named Pearl who wants to leave food out for birds and finds an impressively resourceful nemesis in the form of…a SQUIRREL. What follows is a series of escalating attempts by Pearl and the squirrel to outsmart each other. Squirrels are smart…and so is Pearl. Don’t miss this romp of a story! It releases on June 2, 2020!
I asked Hayley a few questions about GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL. 
Rajani: Can you tell us the inspiration for this story?
Hayley: Stories come from strange, sometimes far-flung places, don’t they? My inspiration for Girl Versus Squirrel began with three little seeds which grew together into this book.
Disclaimer: While this is a fond memory, I’m not terribly proud of it now. Kids! Don’t catch birds!
1. When I was a kid, I decided to try to catch a bird. I asked my handyman dad for advice, and we ended up working together. Bit by bit, we constructed and tested an elaborate bird-trap using an old gerbil cage, a pulley, string, and some bread. Once the trap was set, I had to wait and watch it for hours. Many birds came close—but not too close—to the open cage door.
Did we finally catch a bird? Yes. Then we quickly released it. From this experience, I learned a lot about trial-and-error, patience, and perseverance. Thank you, Brave Sparrow Friend, wherever you are.
2. I was a dreamy, nature-loving kid who often talked to animals. Squirrels, in particular, were excellent conversation partners. They’d perch on my fence, and we’d chirrup and chatter to one another for hours. I like how squirrels notice us as much as we notice them.
3. This story truly kicked into action when I saw Kacy Catanzano’s first, electrifying appearance on American Ninja Warrior. (Have you seen it? Go watch it!) After watching Kacy swing and soar through a ridiculously tough obstacle course, I started to write GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL.
Rajani: What’s your favorite squirrel fact you learned while writing this story?
Hayley: The book includes lots of information about squirrels, but during my research, I learned from Dr. John Koprowski of the University of Arizona that mother squirrels likely do not bring food to their young in the nest. When the babies are big enough to leave the birthplace, the mother begins teaching them to find nourishment. Isn’t that interesting? I think so.
Rajani: Can you tell us more about the artwork in the book?
Hayley: Renée Andriani is this book’s perfect illustrator. She has a gift for capturing both human and animal energy, and she’s great at portraying the emotional connection between characters. Look at the fun, colorful cover and you’ll see exactly what I mean. As for the interior spreads, I love how creatively Renée moves characters across the pages, and her obstacle course elements are a blast. They’re exactly how i imagined them. You can see for yourself on June 2nd, when GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL leaps headlong into the world. Thank you, Renée!
And so, without further ado, feast your eyes on the lovely cover of Hayley’s new book, beautifully illustrated by Renée Andriani:
Giveaway Time!
Hayley is giving away a signed copy of GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL plus some super squirrelly, peanut-free swag! Enter below to win!
I adore the cover and love to read books like this featuring nature’s creatures. I’m drafting one myself.
Also–we have so many squirrels around here that do like to chatter at my dog. I’m curious to learn more about them.
Me too! My dog is obsessed…and he’ll never, ever catch one! 🙂
My dog actually caught one. It’s not pretty. I hope you never go through that mess.
🙁
It’s also National Hugging day – so get out there and hug a squirrel! Or maybe that’s not such a good idea…how about hug an author and appreciate a squirrel instead?
I suspect hugging a squirrel would enormously challenging…:)
Looks so cute!!!!!!
I agree 100%!
Congratulations on your sweet cover for GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL. I can’t wait to read it come June.
Me too!! I loved this story since Hayley first read it aloud in our critique group.
Love the cover and I can identify with the story — we have some squirrelly squirrels in our yard
Ours range from lithe and to obese…but all squirrelly!!
Oh, this reminds me of Those Darn Squirrels!, only with a much younger and far more capable protagonist! I put my money on that young whippersnapper!
LOL. Wait until you read this delightful book!
My 3rd grade students would absolutely love this book! The illustrations are amazing!
Fingers crossed!!
I love watching Kacy on American Ninja Warrior! She is amazing!
She really is!
This book had a lot of kid appeal and I look forward to reading and sharing with students. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks so much for entering! It’s a super fun story!!
This book looks like it’s a lot of fun!
It is so much fun!!
Looks like a fun book!
It really is!!
I have raised 2 baby squirrels at different times. They fell out of their nest because of hurricane type winds.
Wow! That sounds fun…and challenging!
This looks like a fun adorable book!! We have so many squirrels around where we live- they are literally NUTS! ???
Our squirrels are the same! Must be an occupational hazard…:)
That looks ADORABLE! ? Big congratulations to Hayley on her next book! ? ??
It IS adorable! Thank you, Kathryn!