"Now go to sleep.
Everything will be fine.
you'll see."
"I don't know," said Mina.
But sure enough everything was fine."
Mina is a young mouse after my own heart. She likes nothing better than to read. Her nose is always stuck in a book, no matter where she is. Nothing much bothers her; then, her dad brings home yet another surprise from his forays into the outside world. Tin cans, old stamps, and a band of musicians leave Mina oblivious. When he brings home stick insects and tasks Mina to teach them to read, she does just that before they steal all of her books!
One day her father brings home a very special surprise ... he calls it a squirrel. At this point, young readers will not be able to contain themselves. It is perfectly clear to everyone but Dad that the squirrel is really a CAT. Contradicting his daughter's concern, the cat stays. All is well. The cat proves itself useful, even though it isn't hungry for the acorns provided. Soon, Dad adds two more cats! They are not hungry! The vet is called.
"Oh, I see the problem," said the doctor.
"The problem is that these squirrels
are definitely cats."
"Oh, no," said Mina's father.
"Oh, dear," said Mina.
And then all at once ... "
At just the right moment, when things look dire, one of the stick insects comes to the rescue. A story proves the perfect solution to the problem faced.
Matthew Forsythe's gorgeous setting and soft palette of color conveys the beauty of home for the two mice. His use of light and shadow are of prime importance in terms of movement. The first cat is a wily one; its intentions are shown entirely in its eyes. Other surprising details add much to the enjoyment of the tale itself.
Absolutely magical, full of humor and humanity.
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