FICTION

Look Out, Mouse!

by Steve BJÖRKMAN
Look Out, Mouse! illus. by Steve Björkman. 24p. (I Like To Read). Holiday House. May 2015. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9780823429530; ebk. $6.99. ISBN 9780823433971. LC 2014006416.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—This beginning reader is packed with humor and clever visual clues that expand the story beyond its limited word count. The result is a satisfying book as well as one that will afford new readers the opportunity to practice their independent skills. When Farmer Fred falls asleep at dinnertime, his hungry horse looks hopefully to a mouse that is gnawing at his feed bag. A hole in it means food for the horse and a feast for the mouse, too. But a cat appears in the barn, forcing the mouse to make a quick getaway. He is subsequently pursued by a host of other animals, and when the horse, dog, and chickens noisily respond to the chaos, Farmer Fred wakes up and steps outside. In an amusing twist, the mouse steps inside, delighted to be sampling the tasty spread that the rather gluttonous farmer has prepared.
VERDICT Delightful illustrations accompany a charming tale that will make a positive addition to most collections.
Reviewed by Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT
Sloppy, lazy Farmer Fred forgot to feed the horse; a mouse nibbling on the closed feed bag sets off a chain of events of other farm animals trying to catch Mouse. The cause and effect isn't entirely clear, though, and the book feels chaotic. The illustrations are action-packed and emotive, showing mean animals chasing a scared mouse and a junk-food-eating, couch-lounging farmer.
, Mar 01, 2015

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