Paper Mice

March 11, 2019
“With a snip and a clip,/ and a clip and a snip” an elderly woman and a girl craft two paper mice from a security-lined envelope and a sheet of white paper. The mice, christened Ralph and Della, are “placed between the pages/ of two books, pressed flat, and put away.” After the house settles into sleep, the mice awaken from their literary slumber and, each unaware of the other, explore the quiet house, dashing across piano keys, investigating the pantry, and, just like Hunca Munca before them, discovering a perfectly sized dollhouse. It’s only when Della spots Ralph drying himself in front of the fireplace’s embers and saves him from an errant spark that the mice truly begin to enjoy their nocturnal adventures: “Out into the darkness they’d each ventured—alone—/ and found true comfort: a friend.” Wahl creates a comfortably cluttered domicile and a visually engaging nighttime playground in layered illustrations populated with patterned textures and cozy details—clothes dry near the fireplace, and a well-stocked pantry promises fulfillment. Quiet and unpretentious, this simple story of charmed mice offers a sweet depiction of companionship and creature comforts. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

March 1, 2019
Two mice cut from paper come to life and explore a house at night.Using scissors and a "swirl" of paint, a white-haired woman creates two paper mice for a small child who sits beside her. One, Della, is cut from the cross-hatched inside of a security envelope and the other, Ralph, from a sheet of white paper. Tucked into two different books, they don't stay put long. When night falls, the two mice begin to roam. Playful language with a cheery rhythm describes their adventures and occasionally reveals their thoughts. Della is delighted to discover a dollhouse (and clothes). Ralph explores the kitchen and sets his sights on a loaf of bread. Once the two mice meet, their enjoyment multiplies. The illustrations are dark, befitting the nighttime setting. Created with both physical (watercolor and cut paper) and digital media, the repeating elements, worn-looking textures, and a limited palette of mostly reds, blues, and purples combine to resemble traditional block printing. There are plenty of details to pore over as the mice explore. Humorous touches include a face-to-face meeting between Della and a rubber duck and a "Cap Caraway" album cover, among others. Like the house pictured, some aspects may seem old-fashioned to young listeners, but grandparents, if not parents, will be charmed. Woman and child present white.While this low-key adventure can feel a bit long, for some families it may wind up being a favorite--and even inspire some artwork of their own. (Picture book. 5-8)

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June 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-With a snip and clip, two paper mice come into being. After adding "bright eyes," "tiny noses," and "elegant whiskers," they are given names. The white one is named Ralph and the blue one, Della. When they are finished "they were placed between the pages of two books" and when night comes, out they go. "They were only paper mice, but even they knew that night is a mouse's day, and time to roam free of fright." Not aware of each other, they set off to explore. The delightful mixed-media illustrations have a folk-art feel, capturing the nighttime adventure in shades of deep blue, purple, and dark red. Some things are scary, and some are not. They creep and they scamper, until Della finds a doll house just her size, and Ralph gets into trouble and falls in a dish full of water. Trying to dry in front of the fire is when they finally meet. And just in time, because Ralph's tail was catching on fire. An adventure shared makes an outing better as they soon discover. Before night becomes day, the two tired mice "slipped back between the pages of their books, and fell asleep." VERDICT Perfect for storytime, and with so much to explore on each page, a one-on-one read is also a must.-Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ

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