Nuts About Squirrels

Squirrels have made numerous appearances in mass media over the years, from Beatrix Potter’s Nutkin and Timmy Tiptoes, to Rocky the flying squirrel of The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and to Conker and Squirrel Girl of video game fame. This book examines how squirrel legends from centuries ago have found new life through contemporary popular culture, with a focus on the various portrayals of these wily creatures in books, newspapers, television, movies, public relations, advertising and video games.

Don H. Corrigan is the editor emeritus for the Webster-Kirkwood Times weekly newspapers in St. Louis, where he has written on the outdoors and environment for four decades. He is a professor emeritus of Webster University, where he directed student studies for the school’s Outdoor/Environmental Journalism Certificate. He lives in St. Louis.

Don H. Corrigan
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 226
Bibliographic Info: 27 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2019
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7596-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3635-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix
Preface: ­Mass-Mediated Squirrels 1
Introduction: “Hot” and “Cool” Squirrels 5
1. Squirrels in Children’s Books 13
2. Squirrels Make the Headlines 29
3. Squirrels for a Television Age 47
4. Squirrels in PR and Advertising 65
5. Movie Madness: Squirrels in Cinema 86
6. Cartoons and Animated Movie Squirrels 105
7. Comics and Video Game Squirrels 127
8. Legendary American Squirrels 152
9. Squirrels in Myth and Folklore 172
Postscript: Squirrels Unlimited 190
Chapter Notes 193
Bibliography 203
Index 211