APA citation: Brett, J. (2003). Town mouse, country mouse. New York, NY: Puffin.
Plot summary: The premise is simple: Tired of their everyday lives, two mice couples meet and decide to swap houses. The two couples find themselves suddenly surrounded by the unfamiliar, and surprisingly, they realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side…
Relation to other works: Town Mouse, Country Mouse is based on Aesop’s classic fable “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.” Brett has a distinctive style, and I would encourage fans of this work to pick up her other titles as well.
Appeal: Jan Brett is known both for her sense of humour and beautiful, highly detailed illustrations. As an added bonus, Brett usually includes a sneak peak of what is to come in the illustrations for particularly attentive readers.
Audience or readership: Ages 4-8.
Limitations or weaknesses: This book has it all!
Overall assessment: Brett’s Town Mouse, Country Mouse is a great adaptation of the Aesop fable. The story is engaging, the tone amusing, and the illustrations meticulous and beautiful to look at. This is a picture book created with both children and parents in mind. Even better, it has a great takeaway: there is no place like home! Grade: A+
KIDS LIT FTW! 