Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
January 1, 2021/in Picture Book Under 5s Pre-School/Nursery/Infant /by bookskeeps
BfK Rating:
BfK 246 January 2021
Reviewer: Gwynneth Bailey
ISBN: 978-1913339074
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Owlet Press
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: Under 5s Pre-School/Nursery/Infant
Length: 32pp
  • Illustrated by: Sally Darby
Buy the Book

Marney's Mix Up

Author: Jane RushmoreIllustrator: Sally Darby

The first of a trio of Silly Squirrel Stories, this book delves into how our prejudices and pre-conceptions can cause misunderstandings and often embarrassment. Marney comes late to his first gathering of stores for winter, and realizes that all the other squirrels have cleaned up their part of the park. Braving new territory on his search for nuts and acorns, he encounters someone or something he has never before seen. Firey-red, chubby cheeked and waving its arms, the THING makes the strangest noise. ‘Ibble-bobble-wibble-oomph!’ Marney is scared and retreats to home territory, asking what on earth that strange language could mean. No-one seems to know. Is it a fox, pretending to speak squirrel? He didn’t want to end up in a squirrel sandwich! Deciding he does need nuts to store for winter, he plucks up his courage and confronts the stranger, repeating “Ibble-bobble-wibble-oomph!”. Ha ha! The stranger, shocked, then understands why he had said such a babble…He explains he had had his mouth full of nuts, there were so many to gather! He is a squirrel, just like Marney, except he is a different colour. A friendship is soon formed, the embarrassment is forgotten. The story line will lead to discussion about racial bias, and should enable exploration and celebration of similarities and differences without misjudging other people. The illustrations add much to the story, showing the characteristics of all the squirrels, their habitat and need for thinking ahead… even if they do forget their hiding places! The pictures will appeal to any child who has watched squirrels scampering through treetops, or whisking through autumn leaves.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/marneys-mix-up.jpg 494 500 bookskeeps http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png bookskeeps2021-01-01 14:28:002021-02-25 14:29:02Marney’s Mix Up

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue BfK 255 July 2022
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Sarah Hagger-Holt wins the 2022 Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction 2022

July 21, 2022

Maisie Chan and her editor Georgia Murray of Piccadilly Press win the 2022 Branford Boase Award

July 14, 2022

Valerie Bloom wins the CLiPPA 2022

July 8, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
The Monsters of Rookhaven Fox: A Circle of Life Story
Scroll to top