A House for Mouse

An opening map labeled “Fairy Tale Valley” points toward this story’s conceit—a tour of fairy tale real estate—and the first spreads by the team behind If I Had a Dinosaur provide only quiet hints of what’s to come. The mouse of the title announces he’s moving, and his friends throw him a farewell party as he heads out in search of a home. Barrow uses gentle hues and soft pencil outlines to draw giant trees that dwarf the mouse and his friends. Journeying, the mouse happens upon three houses, made of straw, sticks, and bricks (even the youngest listeners will quickly sense what’s up), but a lurking wolf blows the straw and stick houses down. The mouse presses on, considering a tower, a gingerbread house, and an old shoe full of children before finding a splendid place with room for everyone. A bedtime-appropriate adventure with a minimum of suspense, a lot of adorability, and humor hidden in the spreads. Ages 5–6. [em](Oct.) [/em]