Squirrel Do Bad: Trubble Town
#1 of 2 in Trubble Town Series
on Goodreads (287)
What’s inside...
From the author of the “Pearls Before Swine” comic strip and New York Times bestselling Timmy Failure series comes a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, full-color graphic novel series about a quirky town—just right for young readers starting to read longer books! Wendy the Wanderer has lived in Trubble Town her whole life but never had the chance to go exploring. For this reason, she thinks she was definitely misnamed. Her dad likes to know where she is to make sure she’s safe, so she’s never been anywhere on her own. Then, her dad leaves on a trip and the babysitter doesn’t reinforce all the usual rules. Or any of the usual rules! Suddenly, Wendy is free to do what she wants, and what she wants is to live up to her name…and find Trubble. Turns out, there’s lots going on in Trubble Town. As she encounters endearingly goofy animals and hilariously hapless townsfolk, Wendy’s very first adventure takes more twists and turns than she could have ever expected. She learns some really valuable life lessons and even teaches a few of her own.
Discussion points
What do you think motivates Squirrel to create all that trouble in Trubble Town?
How do you think the other characters feel about Squirrel's actions? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
If you were in Trubble Town, how would you solve the problems caused by Squirrel?
What does this story teach us about handling mischief and misunderstandings?
Can you think of a creative way to help Squirrel use his energy for something positive?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their emotions and views.
Use the book’s illustrations to guide the conversation, asking your child to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Relate the story to your child's experiences by asking if they’ve ever witnessed or been part of a similar mischievous situation and how it was resolved.
Discuss the consequences of Squirrel’s actions and explore different ways the story could have ended.
After reading, engage in a creative activity, like drawing a new character that could join Trubble Town to help Squirrel channel his energy positively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Through the mischievous adventures of Squirrel and his friends in Trubble Town, children learn about the consequences of irresponsible behavior.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of taking responsibility for their actions, such as cleaning up their own messes and being accountable for their homework.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Squirrel's inventive solutions to problems, although sometimes misguided, highlight the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems, whether it’s building a fort with limited supplies or finding a new game to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Despite the chaos, the characters in the book demonstrate strong bonds of friendship and always stick together.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of supporting friends through thick and thin, helping them to build lasting relationships in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Characters in the book often learn from the outcomes of their poorly made decisions, teaching children that it's okay to make mistakes as long as they learn from them.
Real-World Application: This encourages kids to view setbacks as learning opportunities, fostering resilience and a growth mindset.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters must work together to resolve the various predicaments they find themselves in.
Real-World Application: Promotes the importance of cooperation and working together to achieve common goals in group activities at school or in sports.