The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Before today, my favorite illustrated version of ‘The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse' was from Paul Galdone in the new early spring 2012 publication format. While I still love that one, this one is amazing and perfect for including Christmas time in a subtle years past sort of way. This is a large picture book and the illustrations are incredible and present the world from a mouse-eye-view. The first image I saw of the fox, I jolted a little bit - really putting you in the mind and frame of the mouse, sitting back watching the fox slink past. What's amazing about this book is as the city mouse is describing to the country mouse the wonders of where “he” lives the illustrations take a twist on the descriptions of the city and bring them to life in comparable thoughts of the country. The book is full of imagination and beauty. It is absolutely the most beautiful telling of this Aesop Fable that I have seen. Sharing the beauty that is present in both the country and the city and how each atmosphere is right for “that” mouse. Great opening for imagination and discussion. I'm sure we'll be reading this one plenty of times. Great for read alouds and snuggle reads, any shelf would benefit from holding this one.

Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing a copy for review.