Grinning Squirrel Hugging an Acorn Along a Leafy Branch

A cartoon squirrel with wide eyes and a big toothy grin hugs a large acorn against its chest. The picture is turned on its side, so the squirrel sits along a leafy tree branch with its bushy tail curling in a swirl behind it. The acorn has a cap covered in small round dots and a lined body. Puffy, cloud-shaped clusters of leaves wrap around the branch, with a few thin twigs showing between them. The squirrel has pointed ears, whiskers, and a tuft of fur on its head. The bold outlines and roomy spaces suit crayons and markers. Try browns and tans for the squirrel and acorn, then mix warm autumn reds, oranges, and yellows into the leaf clusters. Print it free and turn the paper upright to see how the scene changes. Kids can also talk about why squirrels gather acorns for the colder months.