A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE

A mouse and her mother go on a culinary adventure. One bright morning, little mouse doesn't feel like eating cheese, or even the crumbs that her mama has saved for her. She craves something sweet, and mama knows just the thing. "A special treat made of a little bit of love." The pair, carrying baskets, sets out to gather the ingredients; it's an odyssey for the little mouse and a learning experience for both her and young listeners. Mama collects some honey in a tiny jar, flour from the nearby mill, huckleberries from the bushes and sweet cream from the dairy. Now they're ready to make their sweet treat. Little mouse helps mama at every step, her questions and mama’s answers naturally guiding listeners through the process. They put the flour in a mixing bowl and shake the jar of cream to turn it into butter. Next comes the honey: drip, drip, drip. They mix and roll out the dough, put it in a pan, add berries and another layer of dough and pop it in the oven (sealed with a kiss). In no time at all, it's ready to eat. After declarations of mutual love, they feast on every nibble. Neat lessons on baking and rural life are nicely folded into Platt's tale of family love. Whitty's illustrations are well-composed, with telling details and subdued colors. Charming. (Picture book. 3-6)