Two in a Pocket

When both a wren and a dormouse want to make a home in the pocket of an old tattered coat that a farmer has left in his shed, something has to give

PreSchool-Grade 1-- When Snippet the dormouse awakens from her winter sleep, she finds herself in an unfamiliar barn. She is frightened by a menacing cat into the nearest hiding place, a coat pocket, where she finds ". . . a nice warm nest, so she made herself at home. But the nest belonged to Jenny Wren, who was hopping mad!" Jenny calms down, and soon mouse and bird are sharing the nest, one sleeping during the daytime, the other at night. Snippet has a chance to repay Jenny's kindness after she has a frightening run-in with the cat. The attractive illustrations are more effective than the writing. While the story is somewhat appealing, the drama is artificially heightened with frequent exclamation points, and the characters of both Snippet and Jenny are never really established. Ravilious's artwork is lovely: meticulous, naturalistic paintings, perfectly suited to portraying the flora and fauna of the charming rural setting. --Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Snippet the dormouse falls asleep in a field but wakes in a barn. Escaping the cat, she hides in the pocket of an old jacket already occupied by Jenny Wren--who is not pleased but relents. The two become cohabitants and friends; Snippet saves Jenny's life when she's caught in a net, and both make it back to the field when the jacket is used for a scarecrow. Though big enough for group sharing, the soft, precisely detailed illustrations of these wee creatures and their English garden have Potter's diminutive charm. A sweet, old-fashioned story. (Picture book. 4- 8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.