Humorous hyperbole and credible affection infuse Müller's text and pictures and help deliver her worthwhile message clearly. Intentionally grainy, stylized pictures reveal just how different oversize, clumsy Jack is from his diminutive, graceful mice sisters. Flatfooted Jack in tutu and giant toe shoes trips over his long tail, while his siblings perform perfectly en pointe. His feet don't fit between the lines when he tries to play hopscotch. When the distraught fellow asks his mother why he is so "big and ugly" and so unlike his sisters, she explains that he is not
a mouse child after all, but a rat child: "You look different because you came from a different family. But you belong to our family now—and you always will." Suddenly, the tenor of the tale changes and the palette brightens as Jack gains new confidence and discovers "how good he was at lots of things." The transformed brother proudly balances his sisters on his shoulders and becomes the star of their soccer team ("With him in the game, they won every time!"). This uplifting celebration of differences among siblings will be especially welcomed by families with an adopted child. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)
