cover image The Mother's Day Mice

The Mother's Day Mice

Eve Bunting, Jan Brett. Clarion Books, $15 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-89919-387-8

This third in a series of holiday books is a sweet story about the true meaning of Mother's Day, highlighted by Brett's lush pictures. Early in the morning, three young miceBiggest, Middle and Littleset off to find Mother's Day presents. Biggest has chosen a ""wish'' flower, Middle a strawberry and Little would like to bring home some honeysuckle. But Catstarkly portrayed from a mouse's point of viewstands in the way of the honeysuckle, and Little Mouse must head home without his present. On the way, he finds a new gift, one that can be shared by the whole family. While Bunting's story is simple and appealing, it is Brett's richly detailed illustrations that raise this book above the level of ordinary holiday fare. A treat not just for Mother's Day. (58)