A budding friendship begins, grows, and blossoms between two most unlikely characters: a shy mouse named Wallace and a confident, lively neighbor named Albert. Wallace has a penchant for lists and lives his life in lock-step with all that is delineated and predictable. In contrast, Albert is creative and spontaneous, seizing any opportunity to take off on an uncharted course, “smelling the roses,” and enjoying painting, music, travel. Wallace does whatever is on his “to do” list, without deviation, whereas Albert welcomes the excitement of an adventure. An adventure according to Albert is anything that isn’t planned. Yet thanks to Albert, Wallace does discover a new joy. A departure from his list leads Wallace to a departure of another sort: a frantic trip to the airport to warn his friend of stormy weather. The trip is aborted, but not without the realization that life can bring unanticipated pleasure and friendship. Cartoon characters move through the story with vitality and humor a young reader will relish, and a parent strapped with the routine and mundane will appreciate. (Picture book. 4-7)
