"Giraffe stopped twirling and frowned when
he saw some of Mouse's belongings float
past him. He gathered them up and placed
them on Mouse's porch."
Being neighbors can be tricky; if one is a mouse and one is a giraffe, and both are argumentative. It starts with the weather. Giraffe is concerned with the heat. Mouse enjoys the comfort of the sunshine. Giraffe moves to the shade while Mouse just gets hotter and hotter.
Another day dawns with Mouse smelling vegetable soup on the early morning breeze. Giraffe is positive the smell emanates from Bear's gooseberry pie. They cannot agree. It turns out their perspective makes all the difference. When Mouse is atop Giraffe's head, he smells gooseberry pie. When Giraffe bends to the ground, he smells vegetable soup.
Both quickly run for home with a thunderstorm's loud approach. Decked out in rain gear the following morning, Giraffe is gleeful about the rain while Mouse complains that his house nearly washed away. Mouse is furious, Giraffe is not. Will they ever find common ground?
As he frolics, Giraffe notices some of Mouse's belongings floating past. He returns them to Mouse's porch. The following morning, the two meet once again. This time their argument is about the moon! When Mouse doesn't show up at the mailbox the following morning, Giraffe notices. Offering and accepting help, the two finally find a way to be friends.
Young readers will be quick to note the very different perspectives. Why is Giraffe's head so hot? Why does the rain bother Mouse so much? Artwork, created with gouache, ink, and pencil provide clear context for the very different sizes and viewpoints, and an impressive setting.
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