The Mother's Day Mice ANNOTATION
Three little mouse brothers go into the meadow to find a present for their mother but it is the littlest mouse that comes up with the most unusual gift of all.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
It's Mother's Day and the three mouse brothers, Biggest, Middle, and Little, have only a short time to get their presents.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
This third in a series of holiday books is a sweet story about the true meaning of Mother's Day, highlighted by Brett's lush pictures. Early in the morning, three young miceBiggest, Middle and Littleset off to find Mother's Day presents. Biggest has chosen a ``wish'' flower, Middle a strawberry and Little would like to bring home some honeysuckle. But Catstarkly portrayed from a mouse's point of viewstands in the way of the honeysuckle, and Little Mouse must head home without his present. On the way, he finds a new gift, one that can be shared by the whole family. While Bunting's story is simple and appealing, it is Brett's richly detailed illustrations that raise this book above the level of ordinary holiday fare. A treat not just for Mother's Day. (58)
"Brett's illustrations capture the awakening of nature on a warm spring morning, as well as the love shared by a mother and her sons."
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2 A story for Mother's Day, for spring, for any day. Three mouse brothers, clad in bright plaid shirts and lederhosen, leave their snug cottage, intent upon finding the perfect gifts for their mother. Their early morning search is filled with dangers: a snake hidden in the thick underbush, a fox running by. However, the mice are brave, and hand-in-tail, they traipse through brush and briars to find their presents. In the end, it is Little Mouse, returning empty-handed, who has the best surprise of all: a song. The perspective is from a mouse's vantage point: toadstools and ferns seem like trees; a ripe, juicy strawberry is so big that Middle Mouse can barely carry his gift in his two arms; a dandelion fluff ball towers over Biggest Mouse. Through deft, simple lines, Brett captures the brothers' fear, their enjoyment of the sights, smells and sounds of their world and finally, their sheer delight at finding just the right gifts for their appreciative mother. The finely honed details, the soft colors, the expressions of love and sharing make this a story that is as fresh and harmonious as Little Mouse's song. Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal''