Come Out and Play, Little Mouse

Like last year's Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?, this well-designed book is in vivid color, with humorously detailed illustrations. On Monday, a wily cat says to Little Mouse, ""Come out and play.'' The mouse replies: ``I can't play today . . . ask me tomorrow.'' The cat asks daily, and Little Mouse begs off daily, with good excuses each timeshopping, painting, laundry, homework, cleaning. On Saturday, Baby Mouse responds to his request, ``My big brother's busy, but I'll play with you.'' Just as readers may have suspected, that cat has definite plans, and it looks as if he'll get his way, until a dog appears! A surprising revelationand all's well that end's well. Exciting yet reassuring fare by a talented trio. Ages 3-6. (April)