In this outstanding alphabet rhyme, a wee, purple-frocked mouse goes “Tip-tip tippy tippy” through a lovingly detailed house, going “Sniff-sniff sniffy sniffy” all the way along. For her, this is a mouthwatering adventure as she licks B’s butter, gets I’s icing in her white fur and nibbles O’s orange peel. Not without mishaps, she discovers that P for pepper just causes sneezes. She also explores V for vacuum and R for roses and delights at tasting the clever sugar-coated X atop the hot cross buns. All is fun and games until Z brings the mousie a round a corner and a close encounter with a furry member of the family. Hague’s illustrations shine with sumptuous vividness. The delicate plays of light and bright colors bring a visually arresting blend of realism and fancy as the reader sees the giant world from the mouse’s point of view. Additionally, the lilting verse and sing-song refrain make this a treasure of the genre. (Picture book. 2-6)
