Diary of a Victorian Mouse

In this cheerful, oversize picture book, Mr. Albert Mouse, an ardent versifier, tells of life in Victorian England--the diary in which he penned his observations has, it seems, been discovered in a ``dark, old house.'' Through a variety of short, quirky verses, Mr. Mouse describes a visit to Stonehenge (``Professors meet at ancient places / (See how serious are their faces)''; punting on the River Cam (``Punting is like rowing only more so. / It takes a very special movement of your torso''); a peek inside the House of Commons to ``listen while the hot air blows'' and many other quintessentially British goings-on. However, it is primarily through Dominguez's enticing illustrations that a sense of time and place really becomes apparent. Children will delight in the well-to-do woodland animals--reminiscent of the Wind in the Willows cast--dressed in shiny black top hats and bow ties. While the verses may not shed new light on British history or culture, their charm and scintillating wit warrant repeat readings. Ages 4-up. (May)