Treasure Chest ANNOTATION
Squirrel digs up a treasure chest and all the other animals fear he will forget them when the buried treasure makes him rich.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Squirrel digs up a treasure chest and all the other animals fear he will forget them when the buried treasure makes him rich.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey
When Squirrel digs up a treasure chest, Owl rushes off to tell all the animals of Squirrel's find. Rabbit hopes the chest is full of carrots, Badger wishes for balloons, Bear is sure that it contains honey, and Mole would be grateful for glasses. Owl scoffs at their foolishness and tells them that treasure chests are usually filled with diamonds and pearls, and now that Squirrel is rich he will abandon all his friends. Alarmed, the animals confront Squirrel, who announces that his treasure is honey and nuts, which he uses to make a cake to share. Bright, flat illustrations compliment this simple story of friendship. This theme of "find your riches in friends, not things" contains no surprises, but young children will enjoy the pleasant tale.
Kirkus Reviews
This tale of sudden riches from Falda (The Angel and the Child, 1995, etc.) examines the true meaning of friendship. When Owl sees Squirrel unearth a treasure chest, he quickly notifies the other forest creatures. Together, Rabbit, Mole, Badger, and Bear try to envision the contents of the chest. Falda whimsically describes the creatures' dearest desires—from carrots for Rabbit to glasses for Mole. Owl disdainfully discounts these fanciful notions, informing the animals that treasure chests are always full of gold and other riches. He also believes that such riches are certain to alter Squirrel, as wealth has often led to the demise of friendships. Alarmed, the animals rush off to discover Squirrel's intentions; Squirrel has converted his treasure trove of seeds and nuts into a cake for all of his friends. Falda prevents sentiment from overwhelming the charming forest setting and the cast of imaginative, endearing friends. (Picture book. 4-7)
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