The Mouse Mansion

K-Gr 2—Schaapman has woven a tale around an elaborate dollhouse with more than 100 rooms that she has created from cardboard and papier-mâché (photographed by Bouwer). Sam and Julia are mice friends who live with their families in the Mouse Mansion. Julia lives on the top floor, while Sam lives in the middle. The full-page color photos draw readers into the intriguing world of adventurous mice. Even though some of the images are dark, lending a bit of mystery to the mice excursions, children will enjoy the detail on every page and will be engaged. One page cleverly requires turning the book vertically to more fully appreciate "hoisting time," which is a day when the mice pull food from the lower floors to the upper floors using pulleys. There is a definite European flavor to the chapters, such as the one about the ragman who comes to pick up items from the recycling room. While some children will not relate to the experiences of the mice or find their story particularly memorable, there will be other contemplative children who will gladly pore over the details in Schaapman's artwork.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA