The Adventures of Henry Whiskers

Priebe sets her debut children’s book in Windsor Castle—or, more specifically, in Queen Mary’s dollhouse, built in the 1920s and displayed there today. In this story, the dollhouse has long been home to a large family of mice, the Whiskers, and Priebe focuses the action on young Henry Whiskers and one of his many cousins, Jeremy, who attempt to locate Henry’s missing younger sister, Isabel, while dealing with other typical mouse concerns (rats and cats, namely). Short, quickly paced chapters and plenty of twists, turns, and challenges keep the story moving briskly, and the simple, elegant narration and regal setting make the story feel of a kind with other classic mouse tales from children’s literature. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Agency. (Jan.)