Angus MacMouse Brings Down the House

June 1, 2010
Gr 3-4-Angus MacMouse is alone, living in the wet, dangerous alleys of Brooklyn when he hears marvelous music floating in the air. Entranced, he follows it to an opera house where a performance is in progress. So spellbound is he that he ends up in the middle of the stage just as the soprano, Minnie McGraw, begins a solo. When she sees Angus, her voice gets higher and higher, reaching such a pitch that the crystal chandelier in the ceiling shatters. Angus is surrounded by members of the company, angry that he has ruined their show but is saved by Rosemary, the young daughter of the manager, Mortimer Brimley. Mortimer sees Angus as an opportunity to bring fame and fortune to his troupe, and the little mouse becomes a member of the opera company. The only drawback is that he has to scare Minnie each night, and she becomes so nervous and skittish that the tenor of the company convinces her to help him kidnap Angus. He finds himself in a cage with no way out, but the resourceful mouse isn't down for long. All turns out well in this humorous read that will be enjoyed by those who like animal adventure stories such as "Geronimo Stilton" (Scholastic). A few black-and-white drawings are scattered throughout."Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2010
In these first entries in the series, two small critters have big aspirations. In Wolf, Lobo, a tiny Chihuahua, dreams of living up to his lupine name on a trip to Yellowstone. In House, a mouse stumbles into an operatic life when he startles a soprano. Kid-friendly illustrations and upbeat, unselfconscious text combine to make droll stories.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)