Scaredy Squirrel (known as Frisson l'écureuil in French) is an award-winning series of very simple picture books aimed at very small children and created by Quebec author Mélanie Watt, who is also known for creating Chester the Cat. It's about a nervous squirrel named Scaredy who is afraid of nearly everything and lives his life through extremely intricate and meticulous planning. However, Scaredy often finds that things don't go his way. But because of the breaks from his routines and expectations, in the end he always learns something new, important, and exciting that makes him a better person, er, squirrel.
There were originally six picture books in the Scaredy Squirrel series published between 2006 and 2011, as well as two holiday-themed activity books featuring the character. In 2021 however, for the character's fifteenth anniversary, Mélanie Watt brought back Scaredy Squirrel for a completely new graphic novel. The Scaredy Squirrel books are:
- Scaredy Squirrel (2006)
- Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend (2007)
- Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach (2008)
- Scaredy Squirrel at Night (2009)
- Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party (2011)
- Scaredy Squirrel Prepares For Christmas (2012)
- Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping (2013)
- Scaredy Squirrel Prepares For Halloween (2013)
- Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell (2021)
In 2011, Nelvana made an Animated Adaptation of the books that aired on YTV and Cartoon Network (later Qubo) for 52 episodes. Although the cartoon is VERY In Name Only to the point of sharing literally nothing in common with the books beyond the title character's name, Mélanie Watt served as a creative consultant for the series. Tropes for the TV show version can be found here.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: Scaredy always learns one for the kids. And more generally speaking, the books teach kids that stepping out of one's comfort zone can be a learning experience, which is best exemplified by how at the end of the first book, Scaredy discovers that he's actually a flying squirrel when he gets out of his tree for the first time.
- Beach Episode: This forms the plot of Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, where Scaredy decides to make his own beach getaway at home.
- Bee Afraid: The first Scaredy Squirrel book involves Scaredy being terrified by what he believes to be a killer bee invading his home.
- Best Friend: Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend is about Scaredy searching for one who he decides must fit some extremely specific criteria. In the end however, he ends up befriending a dog named Buddy who fulfills none of his requirements.
- Birthday Episode: Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party, in which Scaredy decides to throw the safest birthday he can by only inviting himself. However, when Buddy shows up with a bunch of his fellow canine pals, Scaredy learns that birthday parties are a lot more fun with friends.
- Character Development: In the first book, Scaredy is so terrified of everything that he won't even leave his tree. He gets over it by the end of the story however, and afterwards, most of the other books involve him having adventures outdoors.
- Lovable Coward: Scaredy is always afraid of the worst possible outcomes and gets frightened very easily, but is nonetheless a lovable and good-natured soul.
- Obsessively Organized: Scaredy's defining trait asides from his worrywart personality. He lives by a highly regimented daily routine and plans everything down as meticulously as he can, and dislikes unpredictability.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Scaredy himself. C'mon just look at how adorable his design is.
- Things That Go "Bump" in the Night: Scaredy Squirrel at Night has Scaredy terrified about all the different types of creatures that might come for him if he goes to bed, leading him to construct an elaborate plan to keep them all away and do everything in his power to avoid sleeping.
