“This gentle, simply told story addresses the importance and enjoyment of friendship and collaboration." —Kirkus Reviews

A chipmunk searches for someone to sing along with her in this sweet and funny celebration of true friendship, featuring art by New York Times bestselling illustrator Scott Magoon.

Chipmunk spends her days sitting on her rock and chirping her song—sometimes it’s happy, sometimes it’s bittersweet, and sometimes it’s very sad indeed. When Chipmunk goes off to find a companion that will sing along with her, she encounters some bumps (and pine cones) along the way, and finds friends (and harmonies) in unexpected places.

About The Author

Jamie A. Swenson

Jamie A. Swenson is the author of If You Were a Dog, illustrated by Chris Raschka, which HuffPost called “one of the best read-aloud books of the year.” Kirkus Reviews called Big Rig, illustrated by Ned Young, “a friend [readers] won’t soon forget.” Jamie is also the author of the Woof & Quack early reader series, which Kirkus Reviews called “just as much fun” as Elephant & Piggie. She holds an MFA in creative writing for children and young adults from Hamline University, and works as an associate librarian and early literary specialist. She lives in Wisconsin with her family. Learn more at JamieASwenson.com.

About The Illustrator

Scott Magoon

Scott Magoon has illustrated many critically-acclaimed picture books, including the New York Times bestselling Rescue & Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, which also received a Schneider Family Book Award, Straw by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman. He is the author-illustrator of Breathe, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Read Aloud and a Best Book of the Year by the HuffPost and Chicago Public Library. Scott lives in the Boston area with his wife and two sons. Visit him online at ScottMagoon.com.

Product Details

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (July 13, 2021)
Length: 40 pages
ISBN13: 9781534470033
Ages: 4 - 8
Lexile ® AD520L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

Voices that join together make sweet music indeed. . . . This gentle, simply told story addresses the importance and enjoyment of friendship and collaboration. The eye-catching illustrations feature colors and patterns suggesting the emotional heft of Chipmunk’s airs; ample white space permits focus on the tale’s lively goings-on. The animal protagonists have engaging personalities and faces; their coats’ realistic furriness is achieved via the artist’s deft, swift strokes. Sweet music is best heard by those who really listen.

– Kirkus Reviews

A chipmunk sits on her rock, chirping happy songs, bittersweet songs, and sometimes, songs that are very sad. While Rock excels at listening, Chipmunk longs for a friend who can sing with her. . . . Nicely phrased and using repetition effectively, the text is strongly in touch with young children’s impulse to befriend inanimate objects that come alive in their imaginations. The expressive, digital illustrations set the stage beautifully and bring the characters to life. . . . An appealing picture book exploring friendship and music.

– Booklist, April 15, 2021