COME OUT AND PLAY, LITTLE MOUSE

From the collaborators of Whose Mouse Are You? and Where Are You Going Little Mouse? comes another satisfying picture-book adventure featuring the same family. On Monday, a wily feline--resembling a stuffed calico cat--stretches its paw (claws all showing) into the mouse hole, inviting big brother to come out and play. The wise mouse is too busy; and as the week goes on, no lure--cheese or toy--will entice him. On Saturday the naive younger brother ventures out, and the cat--true to his nature--chases the terrified baby (clutching his rubber duckie) to the edge of a cliff before the older sibling, in a daring disguise, turns the cat's game around. The bold, spirited illustrations work in perfect harmony with the spare story. Most spreads are filled with intriguing details, the splashes of vibrant color set against a white background. At transition points, the composition changes: when the younger brother accepts the bait, the cat's absence and a generous use of white space emphasize the mouse's vulnerability, and during the chase, vivid color covers most of the page, heightening the excitement. Some young children may be frightened by the baby brother's predictment, but most preschoolers will be treated to a feast for the eye, high drama, and a gratifying conclusion.