Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler
*Starred Review* Gr. 3-5. Desperaux, the plucky little mouse who won the 2004 Newbery Medal, lived a life of high adventure. Christopher, "the small traveler," lives in neither a castle nor a dungeon, and there are no princesses around. But even without the fairy-tale trappings, his quest is no less full of daring, lessons, and hope. Christopher starts his story in a manner reminiscent of Dickens: "My life began in the most commonplace way. I was born in an ordinary wire cage, on a soft bed of paper shavings." While still in their cage, Christopher's mother teaches her son and his siblings how to find a good owner in the pet shop for which they are destined, how to read, and even how to escape a home if need be. As it turns out, all these skills are necessary. Author Wise moves Christopher from one home to the next with ease and humor, punctuating the many everyday incidents with the actions of a dangerous a cat, a nefarious boy, and a young taxidermist. The writing is nicely mannered but very accessible, making the book not only a winner for reading aloud but also a delightful offering for children moving past beginning readers. The ink illustrations and the enticing cover will help them along.Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.