Matty is a young squirrel who learns to take care of himself when he finds his parents have disappeared. With his new friends, Jay the bluebird, Manda the rabbit and Lexi the doe, Matty begins searching for his parents, only to discover more new friends and an adventure that teaches him and his pals a valuable lesson in friendship.Inspired by her grandchildren, Matthew, Jayson, Amanda, Alexis, Julie and Eric, Joyce Van Kirk created her cast of friendly, original forest creatures in her first published book. She is currently working on her next children's book, Matty the Squirrel. Joyce lives with her husband, Chuck, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.