Review by Ian Keogh

James Burks is now probably best known as creator of Agent 9, but he’d been producing quality all-ages entertainment for a long time beforehand. Seven volumes of Bird & Squirrel speak to that. On the Run! introduces the mismatched pair, and it’s 125 pages of whimsical hilarity.

The eccentricity is apparent in the character designs. The impulsive and carefree Bird swoops about in a pair of airman’s goggles (and for a while with a small plunger on his head), while the timid and fearful Squirrel wears a protective acorn helmet, although flattened to maintain the square head designs. Why are they on the run? Well, the cover also shows the brilliantly malevolent cat, intent on eating either or both of them.

As the story begins winter is approaching and Squirrel is occupied by gathering the acorns needed to see him through the cold season. The delightful eccentricity characterising the story, and indeed the entire series, is seen on the sample spread showing the cycle Squirrel uses for collection, while also highlighting Bird being completely in the moment. Nothing phases him, and he has no consideration for anything beyond what’s happening now. The cat never says a word, but is a continual threatening presence. The only other cast members are a family of moles offering overnight refuge.

An example of how skilled Burks’ writing is concerns the number of times he sets up situations in which Bird and Squirrel escape the cat by chance, never realising it’s been so close. A rock will fall on it, it’s struck by lightning, or it falls into brambles. And all thoroughly well deserved.

Adults reading this to younger children will laugh along with them, and those children reading it themselves will be occupied and quiet for some time. Bird & Squirrel on Ice is next.