BRODERICK

The lives of Anatole and other eminent mice (""listed in the bibliography at the back"") fire Broderick with ambition, and another book furnishes a career--as the first, and foremost, surfing mouse. After much practice, he masters all the maneuvers: ""He learned. . . to do the head dip, and to hang ten. . . by using the tip of his tail he could (even) hang eleven."" A trip to the Atlantic almost wipes him out until he's retrieved by a young man, Tim, who takes him into partnership. From Malibu Beach to Mexico, Hawaii, Australia and Africa their act is a sensation. At the last, retired, Broderick is enjoying his celebrity; he has also ""sent a large, anonymous donation to the library. It has always bothered his conscience that he chewed up so many bindings in his heedless youth."" Blithe, buoyant whimsy from the pair responsible for Theodore.