FICTION

Cheer Up, Mouse!

by Jed HENRY
Cheer Up, Mouse! illus. by author. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. Jan. 2013. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-547-68107-8.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Henry introduces a sad Mouse and his concerned friends. Determined to make him smile, the other woodland animals are sure that their special skills are just what the little creature needs to be happy. A black bird takes Mouse on a flight. A frog is sure that "dizzy heights are for the birds./I can wash those tears away./Splash and paddle, wash and wade-Cheer up, Mouse!" as he takes him for a swim in the pond. The pattern continues as each creature, including a rabbit and a squirrel, tries to improve Mouse's mood, to no avail. The animals have concerned or smiling expressions yet they are realistic and recognizable in the illustrations that were created digitally and with colored pencils, watercolors, and pastels. The simple sentences relate how each animal plays with Mouse, and readers will repeat the refrain. The satisfying resolution comes in several wordless spreads as the chipmunk realizes what Mouse needed all along-a hug. A solid story about friendship that is sure to cheer readers.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY
All of the forest animals have gathered together for a party, but Mouse's posture -- head down, hands drooping -- shows that he is not having a good time. The other critters watch with concern as he slinks away, and then ask, "How are we going to make Mouse smile?" Blackbird tries first, taking Mouse up for some airborne fun: "Flap and flutter, dip and dive -- Cheer up, Mouse!" Frog disagrees that this is the right approach and pulls Mouse into the water for a "splash and paddle." Rabbit, Starnosed Mole, and others each try his or her own technique, but Mouse stays gloomy until perky Chipmunk offers a simple hug. The text is a little choppy, but the "Cheer up, Mouse!" refrain and the winsome illustrations carry the day. Colored-pencils, watercolors, pastels, and digital techniques combine to show the different textures of the animals, such as Frog's shiny skin and Hedgehog's prickles, and the warm colors against white backgrounds set each animal off in sharp relief so that small children will have no trouble following them from page to page. susan dove lempke
Reviewed by Kristine M. Casper , Jan 01, 2013

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