A story filled with suspense and humor, this classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist in the imaginative and talented hands of Jan Brett. She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse ANNOTATION After trading houses, the country mice and the town mice discover there's no place like home.
FROM THE PUBLISHER The author adds new dimension to the story of two foolish couples who trade their lives for something better. Postage stamps and toy marbles become exquisite works of art in Brett's brightly illustrated story, here elevated beyond a mere cautionary tale to a classic awaiting its audience. FROM THE CRITICS Horn Book An entertaining romp providing much to savor.
Children's Book Review Schedule A truly delightful book.
Publishers Weekly The grass may be greener in the country, and the carpets softer in the city, but--as the two amiable mouse couples in Brett's rich interpretation of the timeless fable finally resolve--``There's no place like home.'' Brett's ( The Mitten ; Trouble with Trolls ) version of how they arrive at their wise conclusion serves up a sumptuous visual feast. The art on each double-page spread (alternately devoted to urban and rural settings) is brimming with droll details; exquisite patterns appear on clothing, china and rugs; and imaginative borders range from silk cord to pottery shards to dandelions. The text also conveys the culture gap between the city and the country mice with a good deal of humor. When she feels a raindrop on her head, the city-mouse wife asks, ``Is the bathtub leaking?''; and her natty husband proudly dons a new jacket (``so colorful and eye-catching''), not realizing that it will indeed catch a creature's eye--that of a large owl whose greedy clutches he barely escapes. Bound to be a standout among the season's picture book offerings. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly In a starred review, PW called this a "rich interpretation of a timeless fable. The text conveys the culture gap between the mice with a good deal of humor; the art brims with droll details." Ages 5-8. (Jan.)
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot Another meticulously detailed and beautifully illustrated story from Brett. In this retelling of Aesop's fable, the town and country are each represented by a mouse couple, both of whom share harrowing adventures. In the end they escape the bumbling cat and inept owl and realize that their original homes are where they belong. Brett gives an added ironic twist to the story with her owl and cat considering a switch of homes. Publishers Weekly Best Book.
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