Thank You, Little Mouse. Dugald Steer. Illustrated by Caroline Anstey. Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2005. 22 pp., cloth, $14.99. ISBN 0-439-95265-4. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Grace Sheppard. *** /4

excerpt:

“If I help you to carry these hazelnuts home, will you let me have some?” asked Little Mouse.

“Of course,” said Little Squirrel.

And Little Mouse helped Little Squirrel to carry her hazelnuts all the way back to her cart.

Little Mouse loves her grandparents, and her visits to their house are filled with wonderful treats and pleasures. She always remembers to thank Gran and Grandpa for their kindnesses, but she feels that just saying “thank you” is not enough.

     As fall approaches, Little Mouse notices that the nuts and fruits in the fields and trees are ripening, and she gets an idea. By helping various forest friends (Little Squirrel, Little Rabbit, Little Sparrow, and Little Bear) with their troubles, Little Mouse amasses a basket full of natural treats and heads back to Gran and Grandpa’s house to prepare a surprise Thank You party. All the little animal friends attend the party as well, and the grandparents are thrilled.

     This is a simple, safe, and sweet “little” story, with no new plot turns or twists to confuse young listeners. The excitement of this book is in its illustrations and its textured cover and pages. The cover is flocked and embossed in green velvet. Each page of the book is made of thick card with embossed details from the illustrations – Little Mouse’s straw hat, the tips of green onions in the garden, and small insect details are all given special treatment on the first page, for example. Toddlers will love the chance to run their hands over the colourful and carefully drawn illustrations while the comforting story is being read to them. The pages are sturdy enough to stand up to many handlings.

Recommended.

Grace Sheppard is a Children’s Librarian with the Ottawa Public Library in Ottawa, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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