School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-In this sequel to Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest (Candlewick, 2007), the narrator is Scurvy Burr, the naysayer in that book. Annoyed at how the village thinks more highly of Sticky Burr than of him, Scurvy makes a deal with exiled Burweena and her insect army to take over Burr Village. Scurvy's grumpy dislike of the idolatry surrounding Sticky Burr, and his general feeling that he's unappreciated by the burr community, is reminiscent of Oscar the Grouch's personality and provides an enjoyable, if unreliable, perspective. This book could offer a useful lesson for children about inclusion and communication, but Scurvy Burr's motivations seem to be simply that he's championing that which is properly prickly, or appropriately burrlike. After his inevitable betrayal by Burweena, he doesn't learn that being different is okay or that he's part of a community; he remains an unapologetic foil, unhappy with his cheerful neighbors. The mild peril of the adventure is fine, and the humor rungs true, but there may be a missed opportunity here. Impeccably cute and with high-quality production, this is a fun, if simple, pleasure.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
In this second adventure in Burrwood Forest, cranky Scurvy Burr takes over the narration as he once again argues with sweet-tempered Sticky Burr about the true nature of burrs: are they prickly by nature or, like Sticky, do they love art, music, and cheerful nonsense ? A visit to evil, exiled Burweena's lair in Spooky Glen provides new drama, but it's the rivalry among Burrwood members that forms the heart of the story, which ends with messages of tolerance. As in the series' first title, Lechner's clean-lined comics move the endearing cast of prickly pod characters briskly through to the warm conclusion.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2009 Booklist
