MOUSEKIN'S EASTER BASKET

Mousekin explores the symbols of Easter, including an Easter rabbit and a basket of gaily colored eggs. Soft watercolors in pink, green and blue show him searching for an above-ground spring nest. Poor Mousekin must not only avoid natural predators, but a host of holiday-symbol engendered plots, which may overwhelm his credibility as a forest creature. He escapes both, but barely. Mousekin finds nests of the robin, towhee, and other birds, but they are filled with eggs and chicks. He encounters predators, including weasel, fox, owl, and hawk. When the weasel threatens him, a pet Easter rabbit gives warning and Mousekin escapes. He also escapes from the owl, which is inexplicably hunting in daylight. Searching for the Easter rabbit in the garden, Mousekin encounters a basket of Easter eggs, just as the children come to find it. Mousekin darts away to an empty bird nest that he has lined with moss; the children take their Easter basket and bunny home. Where spring books and nonreligious Easter titles are in demand, this will suffice.