Hunter's humorous look at youthful energy kicks off in a forest where not everyone is a morning creature. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed absolutely describes Baby Squirrel, who comes in hot like clockwork each morning, exuberantly greeting the day--and all of the forest animals--before zipping around to each by way of seeking a bit of breakfast. Baby is met with a refrain of "No no, Baby!" at every stop, but the rodent perseveres. When a particularly insistent visit to Owl proves too much, Owl's outburst sends Baby scurrying back to the family tree hole, "where no one would be bothered." But Baby Squirrel's absence the next morning is a disappointing development that all the animals notice and seek to address. Hunter's closely hatched ballpoint pen and colored pencil artwork in a limited palette highlights Baby's brown-red fur and the pale blue morning sky at sunrise in this story about loving an enthusiastic youth just the way they are. Ages 3--7. (Feb.)

Exuberance can't be tamed for long. Baby Squirrel awakens each day full of vim and vigor. The little one loves greeting the other forest animals, eating, and leaping through the air--often to the other creatures' chagrin. Baby Squirrel is undeterred by Bear's "No no, Baby!" when they try to eat a mushroom and by the bird's "No, no!" when Baby Squirrel hungrily eyes a nest full of eggs. When Baby Squirrel attempts to visit Owl's tree-trunk home, an exhausted Owl yells, "No no, Baby! Go away!" Chastened, Baby Squirrel retreats to their hole and stays away the entire next day. When the animals seek out Baby Squirrel, they tell the little one how much they've been missed, and Baby Squirrel promises to see them in the morning. The day resumes, and so do all of Baby Squirrel's joyful leaps. It's a gentle story--one that's greatly enhanced by the ballpoint pen and colored pencil illustrations--but perhaps one whose message may be too soft. While Owl hands Baby Squirrel a flower when they visit, there's no apology, nor is there a discussion of respecting boundaries and personal spaces. It's a shame because both are important lessons that need to be reinforced in young readers to help them learn and grow. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Beautiful but shaky. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.