Barnett, Mac. The Wolf, the Duck & the Mouse. Ill. by Jon Klassen. Candlewick, 2017. $17.99. unp. ISBN 978-0-7636-7754-1. Ages 4-7. P8Q9
A mouse finds a new home and a new friend in the belly of a wolf after the “beast” swallows both the mouse and a duck, and they set up housekeeping. The best part of living there, according to the mouse, is that they don’t have to be afraid of being swallowed by wolves. When the wolf gets sick to its stomach from the mouse and duck dancing, mouse’s solution is for it to swallow cheese and wine. The intrepid couple save the wolf from a hunter, and the other two keep their happy home. The illustrations show a happy home complete with a full kitchen, a candlelit dinner, and formal dress for the mouse and duck.
Verdict: The language has the charm of old fables, and the soft grays and browns in the mixed media offer a peaceful feeling. Another whimsical collaboration between a fine author and an illustrator.
November 2017 review by Nel Ward.
Advertisements Share this:
