Here Begins the Tale of the Marvellous Blue Mouse

When a Lord Mayor develops a penchant for finery and fripperies and rules his city by looking outside ``at least once every day to be sure,'' the Emperor Charlemagne must devise a means of getting rid of him. So wise Isaac, the Emperor's friend, sells the Marvellous Blue Mouse of Babylon (``found only once in a thousand years'') to the greedy Lord Mayor for an emormous sum--fetched from the city coffers. The Mayor's worthlessness is proved when it transpires that this phenomenon is none other than a common grey rodent. First written down by a monk in A.D. 884, this tale of comeuppance attempts to reproduce the pages of an illuminated manuscript. Illustrations lie within elaborate borders, and oversized italic script begins each page, adding a touch of exotic authenticity. However, drab colors and morose, static figures give the book a rather unappealing look. While children will perhaps enjoy the Lord Mayor's foolishness, the heavy moralizing may well dampen their enthusiasm. Ages 5-8. (May)