Deep in the Woods

PreS-Gr 2—In this retelling of a Russian folktale, a little mouse takes up residence in a cold, sad little wooden house. A string of other forest creatures discover the cozy dwelling and move in, too. The sprightly writing style, with repetitive phrases and dialogue, keeps the plot moving. The animals turn the house into a perfectly happy home and fill it with singing, dancing, and playing. A bear attracted to the sounds also seeks to move into the house, but the animals agree that there is no more room. Insisting on entering, the bear unsuccessfully tries the windows and door. When he climbs onto the roof, the house collapses. In an unexpected twist, the book does not end here but continues on as the bear builds a roomier house with the help of the animals. Stylized, full-color folk art illustrations have a nostalgic, stiff feel and set the story in a wooded area filled with an interesting variety of tall trees. Heavy black outlines around the animals' eyes detract from their facial expressions; sometimes the animals have an oddly sinister look that conflicts with the mood of the text. Cheery yellow endpapers are busy with small insects and plants; young readers will find some of these plants and insects again later in selected illustrations.