Mouse TV

``Whenever the mouse family gathered around their TV, they could never agree on what to watch,'' opens an understated text that Novak ( Elmer Blunt's Open House ; The Last Christmas Present ) quickly fleshes out with acrylic paintings amusingly jammed with pleasing particulars. The first illustration--revealing 10 rapt mice around the TV--is followed by 10 pages of paneled art showing sequences from each mouse's favorite channel. Novak uses this structure to parody a range of television fare--including adventure, comedy, mystery, game and how-to shows--and lets kids create their own story lines for the wordless plots. But the clan's preferred pastime is interrupted when the television goes on the blink one night. ``What do we do now?'' asks a baffled Papa, but the answer is quick in coming. The clan plays games, makes crafts, sings, dances and performs experiments. And best of all, when Papa reads to eight tiny mice tucked into one bed, ``there were no commercials.'' Novak's deft humor ensures a subtle delivery of his worthy message. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)