Robin Robin

In this picture book debut, Ojari and Please, codirectors of the forthcoming animated musical of the same name, relay the rhythmic story of an orphaned robin adopted by a family of mice. Though Robin Robin tries her best to emulate her family and “be quiet as a... MOUSE,” on crumb raids of the Who-man house, she always creates “a CHIRP and a SMASH and a FLUTTER and a CRASH,” drawing the attention of “the dreaded Cat.” But with an assist from a local magpie and a Christmas tree star, Robin finds a way to embrace her noisy nature and ensure there are copious crumbs for a holiday feast. Ojari and Please use plentiful repetition in the episodic exploits; Smith’s carefully detailed illustrations spotlight a warm and cozy mouse burrow; Magpie’s old tree cluttered with keys, buttons, and shiny tchotchkes; and a shabby-chic cottage, contributing absorbing, light-filled spreads to this action-driven holiday yarn. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)