Little Mouse's Painting

From Publishers Weekly Wolkstein fans will be disappointed in this spindly outing. Little Mouse, accustomed to spending all of her time with Bear, Squirrel and Porcupine, decides to strike out on her own one day and take up painting. As each of her friends wander by and admire her work, they see themselves on the canvas, although Little Mouse indignantly insists that she has painted a landscape. Back home, she is surprised to find that from a distance some of the objects in her painting do resemble her friends. If this story is meant to serve as a lesson in perspective, it's a flimsy one. Even as a simple tale of friendship, the prose is slight to the point of being innocuous and certainly not worthy of a storyteller of Wolkstein's ( Oom Razoom ; The Banza ) considerable talent. Begin's color-saturated acrylics are masterfully executed: her lovingly detailed animal cast bristles with realism and the play of light and shadow is superb. The art veers toward the precious, however, and fails to infuse the story with gusto. Ages 4-up. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Even though this sweet picture book seems, on first reading, to be devoid of complexity or any real action, a second, more thoughtful perusal uncovers unexpected charm. Little Mouse, a sociable yet independent sort, enjoys visiting with her friends Bear, Squirrel, and Porcupine, and shares different activities and interests with each. One day she devotes her time instead to painting on her own. When the picture is done, Little Mouse proudly shows it off; the animals see themselves in it. She is initially frustrated with their interpretations, insisting that the blueberry bush, flower, and sun do not bear resemblance to them. Later, however, when she hangs the picture, she realizes that their visions have some merit and she is pleased to have them nearby, in spirit and in pigment, if not in fact. Wolkstein's expressive, straight- forward narrative and Begin's beautiful, luminous watercolor and acrylic illustrations combine to produce an appealing, insightful look at friendship and creativity. The exquisite artwork; subtle characterization; and simple, thoughtful story add up to a satisfying whole. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of PittsburghCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.