Look Out, Patrick!

Dynamic illustrations in vivid colors animate this tale of Patrick the mouse, out for a stroll on a summery day. Patrick wanders through scenes of blossoms and lush vegetation, taking in the greenery, the bird songs and the scent of nectar. But he is blissfully unaware of his close calls with the perils on every spread. A hawk that tries to scoop him up crashes into a tree that Patrick happens to be passing under; a snake tries to bite him, but misses when Patrick bends down to sniff a buttercup. Rats are foiled by water that pours out of a drain at an opportune moment. And finally, narrowly avoiding first a mousetrap and then a human foot, Patrick realizes he's in trouble when a falling iron misses him by millimeters. ``That was a close one,'' he says. ``This must be my lucky day!'' Children will relish the wacky humor and be reassured by Patrick's ultimate deliverance from harm. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)