Sebastian Meschenmoser

When the 'moon' lands on his tree one day, Mr. Squirrel panics, believing that he will be blamed for its disappearance from the sky, and perhaps taken as the thief who stole it. After much strenuous exertion, he manages to budge the massive golden circle, only to watch it fall upon a hedgehog, there to become stuck. Nothing dislodges the persistent 'moon' until a billy goat arrives and butts it with his horns. In the end, however, it falls to a group of hungry mice to free everyone involved. show more But what will become of the moon, now that it is mostly eaten..?

Originally published in German as "Herr Eichhorn und der Mond," this delightfully humorous picture-book is the second of Sebastian Meschenmoser's woodland adventures devoted to the doings of Mr. Squirrel. The first, Waiting for Winter, was a personal favorite the year I read it, and I recall wishing at that time that some of the author/artist's other work would be translated into English. Well, wish granted! I found Mr. Squirrel and the Moon immensely amusing - the scenes in which he imagines himself and an ever-growing number of co-conspirators in jail are priceless! - and enjoyed the detailed pencil artwork immensely. Mr. Squirrel himself is masterfully captured in all his frenetically emotional glory. Recommended to young readers who enjoy animal stories, particularly those with a humorous bent, as well as to admirers of Meschenmoser's artwork. show less

Originally published in German as Herr Eichhorn und der erste Schnee (literally, "Mr. Squirrel and the First Snow"), Sebastian Meschenmoser's delightful picture-book follows the story of a squirrel who has never seen snow, and who decides that this is the year he will correct the omission. His efforts to remain alert, while "waiting for winter," awaken a prickly hedgehog, who joins him in his vigil. When squirrel and hedgehog's sea shanties bring bleary-eyed bear to them, suddenly there are show more three watchers in the wood. Eventually growing tired of waiting, the three decide to search for snow, with some hilarious results. But then, in a moment of indescribable magic and wonder, they finally see what they've been waiting for...

A lovely tribute to the winter season, and to the wild creatures of the forest, Waiting for Winter pairs a deceptively simple narrative with brilliant pencil illustrations, occasionally enhanced by paint. As another reviewer has noted, Meschenmoser's drawings seem rather messy and chaotic, when examined up-close, but the over-all effect is one of motion and vitality. The facial expressions on squirrel, hedgehog, and bear are priceless, and some of the wordless sequences are simply hysterical! Squirrel passed out on his branch, bear staring with sleepy disgruntlement - these scenes will stay with the reader long after the book has been put away.

Truly, this is a little gem! Now if only they'd translate Meschenmoser's two other titles featuring squirrel - Herr Eichhorn und der Mond and Herr Eichhorn weiß den Weg zum Glück - I'd be content! show less

Hilarious (e.g. Hedgehog and Squirrel are trying hard to stay awake to see the first snow, so they're all, "SEA SHANTIES!" and sing raucously [textlessly but expressively] for three pages, which then wakes up Bear, who looks exactly like me when I wake up in the morning -- squinty, cross, with serious bedhead). The kids I read this too were so into the animals' anticipation for snow that when the first real snowflake actually fell (after several false alarms), followed by a proper snowfall show more in the last 2-3 pages, they actually oohed and aahed without parental initiation/prompting. YAY!

The illustrations look like they are done in pencil and watercolor, I think, in a loose & very lovely sketchbook style (I find it super appealing), with a fair amount of messy detail. The version of the book I had is just slightly bigger than your average lap size picture book, which is pretty nice for showing off the art a bit.

Re print awareness: I am starting to get why sometimes there are different-sized words in picture books for children. This one makes great use of this technique.

Note: Not the best for reading aloud to a horde of children, but it is just right for 1-4 kids. That way, they can crowd around as much as they like and see all the illustrations clearly, and pick out & appreciate the humor found in the details. show less

Probably the very best Odd Couple fable I've read. Or seen - there aren't a whole lot of words, but there are extra pictures that tell more of the story. Look for the detail in them, including a surprise in the refrigerator. I love that both points of view are told so carefully. I love that the friends have jobs... guess where? I love the endpapers that extend the story in both directions. I love that this truly is 'for all ages.'

Funny and heartwarming, and with metaphorical meaning beyond show more the text. In fact, I could, if necessary, use it to explain why it's not a problem that my husband and I have separate bedrooms.... show less