cover image Phewtus the Squirrel

Phewtus the Squirrel

V. H. Drummond. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, $13 (48pp) ISBN 978-0-688-07013-7

Phewtus is a knitted squirrel and Julian's favorite toy; the other toy animals are not jealous. But nursery harmony is disrupted when a large parcel arrives for Julian. Inside is a huge dressed rabbit named Ralph, the ""most conceited toy that had ever been made.'' Ralph immediately decides to dethrone Phewtus, and pushes the squirrel out of the carriage during an afternoon walk. Furtail, a park squirrel, offers to turn Phewtus into a ``real '' squirrel. At first Phewtus is delighted; he can run and jump. But the feeling of freedom doesn't last. V. H. Drummond's endearing story is a classic in Great Britain, where it was published fifty years ago. This new edition introduces color to the illustrations and will delight a new generation of children. Ages 4-7. (March)