Author/Illustrator: Helen Ward
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Templar
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars
“The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse” is such a wonderful story for kids and should be a must have in every household. It is gorgeously illustrated and poetically written and perfectly set in a 1930s-era city at Christmastime. It is a great way to get in the festive mood for the holidays. It one of those book that you just want to read again the minute you finish it and tell everyone to do the same. It is a wonderful retelling of one of Aesop’s Fables and in such a unique way.
Premise: “Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangerous dogs! Helen Ward’s 1930s New York at Christmas is at once gorgeous and frighteningly busy. In the end the reader understands both why the town mouse loves his exciting life and why the country mouse is content with his peaceful home.”
The watercolor illustrations are very eye-catching and really enhance the 1930s-era city at Christmas-time. It is very stunning. Simple yet very elegant. I can’t wait to share this book with my daughter. I have a feeling that we will be keeping this book very close to the bed since I think it will be a must-read. As wife and myself have grown up with this story, I think it is only write that we continue the trend. I hope others will do the same, not just during Christmas but throughout the year, as I am sure we will.
