Big Week for Little Mouse. Eugenie Fernandes. Illustrated by Kim Fernandes. Toronto, ON: Kids Can, 2004. 24 pp., cloth, $14.95. ISBN 1-55337-665-X. Subject Headings: Days-Juvenile fiction. Mice-Juvenile fiction. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4

excerpt:

On Wednesday she picks blooms of blue.
Pink and yellow, purple, too.
Pretty flowers, big and small.
Some are short and some are tall.

Children will be eager to rehearse the days of the week and practice their opposites when they get a glimpse at the latest story by Eugenie Fernandes about Little Mouse. This is a wonderful rhyming story about a subject that is near and dear to the heart of every child a birthday, and most particularly, their own. Accompanied by daughter Kim Fernandes's stunning fimo artwork, this book by Eugenie Fernandes will be a sure favorite.

     The week begins with Little Mouse's sending out invitations in the mail, without revealing what the invitations are for. She spends the week working hard washing windows, floors and laundry, picking flowers, baking and decorating. She pursues a different activity each day. The artwork shows her diligently applying herself, accompanied by her faithful teddy bear and assisted lovingly by her mother. Their teapot home is transformed for her friends who arrive on Sunday to play and wish her the best of the day. As the work progresses, Little Mouse learns opposites:

On Friday Mouse attaches things
to all her hats with tape and strings.
A hat for sunshine. One for rain.
One that's fancy. One that's plain.

     The fimo artwork is a subject of study by itself. The anthropomorphic mouse lives a typically human existence. The details in the picture, from the texture in the fabrics to the knots in the trees, invite study. The colours are bright and pleasing to match the exciting event Little Mouse is anticipating. Parents and early years educators can use this book for educational purposes. It will surely be a motivating tool. Small children will enjoy its fun rhymes and the learning experience and will be engaged by the wonderful illustrations.

Highly Recommended.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

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