Just released from Outskirts Press, Jimmy Powell's full-color book, with illustrations by renowned artist Bobbi Switzer, is now available on the author's Web site at www.outskirtspress.com/jimmypowell. The book tells the tale of the adorable Mr. Squirrel, whose annual trip to stockpile nuts takes an unexpected turn when he discovers they've been ruined--turned rotten due to a silk-spinning worm who derives a cruel kind of pleasure from enveloping the trees in his web.

Faced with a dangerously low food harvest, Mr. Squirrel and his family brainstorm to figure out how to survive the winter and ensure they're not caught up in the same trap next year. Against the odds, they hatch a simple yet ingenious plot--but can they avoid the watchful eyes of the worms while they carry it out?

A story with a heartwarming message of teamwork conquering adversity, The Squirrel, the Worm and the Nut Trees teaches children the value of thinking things through and working together. At the same time, it's also a kind of fable, in the great tradition of Aesop, on the importance of preparing for the future. Children will benefit from seeing how one group of determined squirrels wasn't about to be caught ill equipped come next winter. Readers of all ages will also love pouring over a richly imagined forest environment filled with the flora and fauna of the woods--not to mention the vividly depicted characters of Mr. Squirrel and Mr. Worm.

Format: 8.5 x 8.5 color paperback Pages: 48 SRP: $15.95 Genre: Children's literature Availability: Through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Outskirts Press

About the Author: Memphis resident Jimmy Powell is a published poet who works as an aircraft technician for FedEx. In addition to writing--he has recently completed an autobiography--Powell, a married father of three, enjoys spending time with his family and on various capacities as a volunteer.