They Call Me Mommy
The Tale Of An Eastern Gray Squirrel
by
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I gathered as many leaves as I could stuff into my mouth at one time and headed for that hole in the second floor porch ceiling. Getting up there was not easy.
First I had to climb the shingles on the back of the building. Thankfully my sharp claws can cling to the siding. Then I had to make my way over the rain gutter and onto the porch floor.
Now I was ready to climb the thick pole that supported the third floor porch above me. Around the top of the pole, where the wood had rotted away, was an opening just big enough for me to crawl into. This would make a safe, dry home for my little ones and me.
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About the Book
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a city squirrel? In this lively, suspenseful book, Mommy Squirrel shares her experiences and struggles, as she tries to create a home and raise a family among human neighbors.
When two squirrel-loving children become Mommy’s good friends, they get a squirrel’s-eye view of the world and a great natural education. They also encounter adventure, as they help Mommy rescue her energetic babies from calamities.
Mommy helps the children, too. This wise little squirrel allows them a rare close-up view of a wonderful wildlife family and teaches the youngsters the rewards and benefits of showing compassion for all creatures who inhabit our planet.
This story is based on actual events, catastrophes and behaviors of squirrels, including Mommy, in the author’s backyard and neighborhood.
“A wonderful story for children of all ages that makes some very good points that children and adults alike should pay attention to.”
---Gregg Bassett, President
The Squirrel Lover’s Club
Elmhurst, Illinois
About the Author
Since childhood, Bonnie Lee Strunk has been captivated by the beauty and magic of nature. Raised in a rural area of Pennsylvania, she became an avid observer of wildlife and especially loves squirrels, which she considers to be the most fascinating and friendly critters in the wild animal kingdom.
The author holds a B.A. degree in journalism from Temple University and an M.A. degree from Kutztown University. She teaches writing workshops and grammar refresher classes, and for more than 30 years has been writing for newspapers and magazines. She has won numerous state and national journalism and photography awards.
A regular columnist for a chain of weekly newspapers in Pennsylvania, she often writes articles focused on nature and the importance of being good stewards of the earth.
She and her husband, a retired professor and “weekend” artist who provided the drawings for this book, are trained Habitat Ambassadors for the National Wildlife Federation. As volunteers, they visit garden centers, church groups, retirement communities and other forums, presenting programs on the benefits of native plants and gardening for wildlife. They also teach ecology workshops for children and donate native trees to public spaces.
In addition, Bonnie Lee Strunk has written and performs “Animal Rap,” a rap song with a message to all of us from our animal friends.
Her favorite pastimes include nature photography, cooking and playing the baroque recorder.