I.Q. GOES TO SCHOOL

I.Q., the pet mouse in Mrs. Furber's classroom, yearns to be an ordinary student. From his cage on a counter, he enjoys storytime ("Some books made him laugh, and some made him cry. But he loved them all"), studies the alphabet and teaches himself to read. His greatest wish, however, is to be chosen Student of the Week. In brief two- to four-page sections (labeled "September" to "June"), I.Q. sets about getting Mrs. Furber's attention. He plays a role in the Thanksgiving play and makes his teacher a Valentine ("He was afraid the children might think he was the teacher's pet, so he didn't sign his name"). On the very last week of school, I.Q. gets to sit in the special chair and "share with the class" (his pictures go up on the bulletin board). Fraser's (One Giant Leap) tidy drawings from a mouse's point of view keep things on a childlike scale and also inject some humorous touches; in one sequence, I.Q. eats his way through piles of sunflower seeds to learn about "more," "equal" and "zero." Young readers who find deskwork intimidating will enjoy reading about an amiable mouse who shares their struggles. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)