King Mouse by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Dena Seiferling, Tundra, 9780735264045 (hardcover), 2019
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Picture book
What did you like about the book? Seiferling’s sepia-toned illustrations provide a classic backdrop to the age-old lesson of the importance of friendship and empathy. This story echoes the spirit of Frog and Toad and other best friend tales as we follow a mouse who finds a crown and deems himself to be royal. His friends also find glimmering crowns, and so the dilemma begins – as does the lack of enthusiasm when Bear finds himself the only creature who isn’t sporting a badge of honor. The mouse does the right thing and shares his crown with his friend. Perhaps the most charming part of the story is the final page as we get a glimpse of a child on a bicycle coming upon a tree-stump table of crowns.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? Young children through grade 2 and those who are a fan of Frog and Toad stories.
Who should buy this book? Elementary and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Not necessarily, however, it is a sweet story.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Linda Broderick, Lincoln Street Elementary School, Northboro, MA
Date of review: 2/18/20
Youth Services Book Review 
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