Sadie Mouse Wrecks the House

Sadie, to her dismay, has become the “good mouse” in the family. Her brother Reggie makes mischief and avoids chores with impunity—he even stashes dirty dishes among the sofa cushions—which “always meant more work for Sadie.” Faced with yet another list of chores when their mother leaves the house, the little mouse snaps: eyes blazing, she declares she’s going “to do them... BAD,” and a spectacular rebellion erupts, chronicled with riotous clear-line cartooning. Sadie first hurls a garbage can through a plate-glass window (“Garbage doesn’t get more out than that!”), then rains destruction on every other room. Wild and defiant—“I’ve never felt more alive!”—Sadie finally runs out of havoc to wreak and takes a nap. When she awakens, she discovers that Mom has returned home... to an immaculate house tidied by a thoroughly shaken Reggie. He doesn’t promise to change, but the breach between siblings is repaired. The message, delivered by previous collaborators Kalan and Miller (Horse Meets Dog) in a style of humor reminiscent of Bob’s Burgers, is clear: don’t take advantage of another’s good graces, and turnabout is fair play. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)