Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse ANNOTATION
A hungry mouse and a lonely kitten become friends and seek adventure and fortune together in the streets and subways of New York City.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Meet Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse. No one would ever dream that a cat and mouse could become friends, but that doesn't stop Harry and Tucker.
All they have is each other to depend on. Together they begin an exciting adventure throughout New York, searching for a home they can call their own. But the two friends run into some troublesome times in their journey around town. Is all hope lost? Where will they turn to next?
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In this prequel to the Newbery Honor book The Cricket in Times Square, "the characters of these quintessential New Yorkers are as vibrant and joyful as they ever were," wrote PW. Ages 8-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
In this delightful prequel to the Newberry Honor Book, The Cricket in Times Square, Selden recounts the blossoming friendship between the two main characters. The story begins with Tucker Mouse divining inspiration from Merry Tucker's Home-Baked Goods to choose his name. Tucker then meets his unlikely friend in an alley where they start a beautiful friendship over a shared ham-and-cheese sandwich. Harry and Tucker set out to find a home beneath the streets of New York City. After checking out the city docks and Gramercy Park, the duo set their sights on Times Square. They find their new digs in a pipe by the subway station, sheltered from the hustle-bustle above. Tucker delights in his hobby of collecting things. The friends remain settled and content until a trio of rats threatens to move in on their territory. With brute strength and cunning, Harry and Tucker convince the rats to retreat to their garbage can. Selden's clever dialogue and Williams's whimsical drawings add to the book's charm. 2001 (orig. 1986), Farrar Straus and Giroux, $5.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Julie Steinberg
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4 A tiny New York City mouse longs for a name and a home, finds both, and makes a friend. This early history of Tucker Mouse and Harry Kitten, that well-loved couple from The Cricket in Times Square (Farrar, 1960) and other books, will attract new, younger readers in this attractive large format book. The story is not as compelling reading as the first books, but never mind. For example, Tucker and Harry become friends at Harry's encouragement in order not to make life worse for each other by fightingphilosophically admirable, but dramatically ineffective. However, in the end the two show their old moxie in an exciting confrontation with three tough rats. Dialogue, rather than action, is at the fore, which limits the book's movement. It's a little slow, but children should still enjoy the characters; the pictures in the familiar Williams style, beautifully inked and sharply contrasted against the milky-bright pages with wide margins and eye-easy type; and the humorous dust jacket. Anna Biagioni Hart, Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria, Va.
Home
