In a disastrous accident, Herbie and Raymond drop the present, breaking it beyond repair, and forcing the boys to find an alternate gift. High interest independent reading. Asch, Frank and Vladimir Vagin. A collaboration between two illustrators - American and Russian. Their nearly wordless allegory describes the frantic mobilization of a country fearing invasion from a powerful neighbour.
Word spreads throughout the mouse territory of the cat's coming.
When the cat eventually arrives, it carries a huge wheel of cheese, which it presents to the mice. In return, they feed it and curry its fur. An excellent commentary on unjustified fear based on stereotyping. Text written in both English and Russian script. Carol is a tomboy who enjoys BMX bike-jumping contests.