THE LIBRARY MICE

They lived behind a stack of magazines, this big family of mice; they came out at night to forage and to play; their sole enemy was the library cat; and their friends came from the , the bakery and so on. This is a perfect book for the story hour in the library, when the different magazines -- the different sections of the library referred to in the story, can be identified and explained. But for the non-library-oriented reader at home, this would present problems of understanding. The central story is original and entertaining, as the youngest of the mouse family invents a way to ""bell the cat"". But in the main despite the age level beyond the usual Read Aloud group- here is a book that needs adult presentation. The pictures, alas are rather dreary.