Synopsis
Mouse is happy with his sedentary life at Mouse Hollow, where he instructs the sun when to rise and set, until an embarrassing question sends him out in the world in search of new experiences and new friends.
Reviews
PreSchool-Grade 2-A charming tale that chronicles Mouse's exploration of the world. "'My...the world is even bigger than I thought. It's a good thing I brought lunch,'" he muses on his first escapade away from his own neighborhood. This is more than a little excursion, however, as lofty-minded Mouse fancies himself "'owner of the sun'" and, taking his responsibilities seriously, believes he should be more "'knowledgeable'" about the world. Departing from his normal routine of telling the sun when to rise and set, he sets off. Delightfully rendered in line drawings and watercolors, the rather sophisticated illustrations help detail the little creature's adventure. Ultimately, he makes his way home, having bartered with the king, trading the care of the sun for a map. This lovely little romp illustrates the many ways of seeing and interacting. Readers are sure to smile at Mouse's special sense of place.
Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
First-time author Derby introduces a mouse who, knowing nothing of the world around him, is self-assured enough to think the sun rises and sets at his command. When the mouse is presented at the king's court, he opts to sell his prized solar orb to the king in exchange for a map of the forest in which he lives. Derby's dialogue is swift and sure, but her emphasis is a bit unclear. Is this a misadventure that gently scoffs at its naively self-important protagonist? Or is it the chronicle of a hero who discovers the scope of the world and his place in it? A thin ending leaves the direction unresolved. Henstra's ( The Tsar & the Amazing Cow ) angular ink-and-watercolor illustrations in muted blues and reds wittily portray the jaunty mouse and his companions, from forest insects with amiable, humanlike faces to the enormous, bewigged king decked out in 18th-century finery. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The mouse is lucky indeed: it's pure coincidence that, at each critical juncture, the sun does exactly what he tells it. Daily, the mouse tells the sun to go down, with unfailing results; when he sets out to explore, and the king's troops gallop across his way, he halts them in high dudgeon--if he were hurt, who would tell the sun to come up? After he orders the sun to hide its face and a cloud blows across it, the Captain takes him to the King, who suggests that the mouse tell the sun to set at midday (the mouse explains why this isn't a good idea) and then offers to buy it. Warning the King about how important it is to wake the sun early, the mouse takes a map in trade and goes contentedly home. Derby's well-told first has an engaging folkloric flavor. The gentle, understated humor of Henstra's pen and watercolor illustrations is nicely in tune with the rather long, tongue-in-cheek story; lively dialogue makes this an especially good choice for sharing aloud. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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