Tea with Oliver

PreS-Gr 2—A cat named Oliver is looking for a companion to have tea with him. A small, shy mouse named Philbert is interested, but Oliver does not hear him. Oliver encounters other friends who do not share his interest in tea. Philbert writes Oliver letters in a repeated attempt to get the cat's attention. The illustrations give the book a warm and inviting feel. The author/illustrator does a great job of portraying the disconnect between the characters. Oliver is much bigger than the tiny mouse, and it's clear that he is not aware of Philbert's presence. Philbert's letters are written in blue crayon, adding to the mouse's childlike quality. Hopeful and kind, the mouse is endearing and will appeal to readers. Statements from characters are written in word bubbles. These help readers distinguish between the characters' conversations and comments from the narrator. The bold black lettering also makes character comments easy to read against the pastel-colored background.