cover image Mouse's Christmas

Mouse's Christmas

Alan Baker. Copper Beach Books, $12.95 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-7613-0503-3

Forest friends prepare a holiday surprise party for their unsuspecting friend Mouse in this peek-through-the-window book featuring diecut holes. On a cold Christmas Eve, Mouse travels from house to house, hoping to visit with the foxes or the rabbits, or Owl, but everyone is too busy to chat. When the discouraged Mouse arrives at home, he discovers just what everyone was busy doing: planning a party for him. Young children will enjoy the hide-and-seek element initially, but the gimmick probably isn't strong enough to encourage repeated readings. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)