The Secret Life of the Flying Squirrel

by Laurence Pringle, Kate Garchinsky (Illustrator)

Overview

Follow a year in the life of Volans, a flying squirrel, as she glides in the night air to hunt for food, deftly avoids danger from a raccoon, and gives birth to three tiny pups before preparing once again for the coming winter.

Emerging at night from a cozy nest high in a tree, Volans the flying squirrel glides down. Although called a “flying” squirrel, she actually doesn’t fly—she glides using fur-covered flaps. Her instincts lead her to her hidden cache of food. She is also looking for a roomier hiding place because she is ready to give birth. When her pups are born she stays close to home, giving them milk and keeping them safe from predators until they can venture out on their own. Filled with intriguing facts and gorgeous illustrations, readers will be fascinated by the story of these remarkable rodents. This latest title in the Secret Life series has been vetted by a flying squirrel expert and includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635925487
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	04/11/2023
Series:	The Secret Life
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	640L (what's this?)
File size:	24 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Laurence Pringle has written more than 100 books for children and teenagers, including the Strange and Wonderful series and The Secret Life of the Red Fox, among other award-winning science titles. Internationally, his books have sold more than 3 million copies.

Kate Garchinsky was born and raised just upstream of John Heinz Natural Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum and received her BFA in illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a focus in nature and children’s literature. She is the illustrator of several of the Secret Life books by Laurence Pringle.

Editorial Reviews

In this seventh in Pringle’s notable Secret Life series, readers follow Volans, a southern flying squirrel: gliding, foraging, finding a suitable den, raising three tiny babies, and storing food for winter. Garchinsky’s digital paintings bring this beguiling glider to life… an intriguing introduction to a nocturnal and secretive forest dweller.”—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2022-12-24
A year in the life of a flying squirrel.

In this seventh in Pringle’s notable Secret Life series, readers follow Volans, a southern flying squirrel: gliding, foraging, finding a suitable den, raising three tiny babies, and storing food for winter. Garchinsky’s digital paintings bring this beguiling glider to life. Much of the action happens in the dark of night, indicated with shades of blue, green, gray, brown, and even occasionally purple. The straightforward text is set directly on the striking image on the double-page spreads. There are close-ups and more distant views. We see Volans gliding, her flaps, or patagia, spread out, steering with a leg, and landing on all fours. One notable scene has the nimble squirrels snacking from a bird feeder; a cat watching from the ground in the shadows is barely visible. Another shows the sleeping squirrel and three tiny, pink babies in a cozy nest. A threatening raccoon paw gropes inside the tree burrow, but Volans repels the intruder, then moves her babies to another nesting hole. By summer’s end the babies are weaned and on their own. In autumn, these squirrels stock up for a long winter, much of it spent napping in groups in tree hollows, a fitting conclusion to a busy year. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An intriguing introduction to a nocturnal and secretive forest dweller. (more about flying squirrels, glossary, further reading) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews