MOUSE CALLS

A mouse gathers everyone together to wait out a storm.

Dark clouds are rolling in across the waves. Mouse runs to tell Moose, setting off a chain of events that has all creatures scurrying. In a playful, rhythmic meter, the message is quickly passed along from one animal to the next. “Mouse calls Moose. // Moose calls Goose. / Goose calls Dog / and Hog / and Hare. // Hare calls Bat. / Bat calls Cat. / Cat calls Frog / and then calls Mare.” Although the verb of choice happens to be call, all of this communication happens face to face. (There are no phones in this forest!) Creatures big and small—a snail, a gnu, a skink, and a louse—heed the warning; everyone gathers in a cave to weather the storm. Animals appear to be chosen based on rhyme rather than habitat (Kangaroo and Caribou likely aren’t neighbors), but the romp bounces along so nicely—and introduces many atypical animals—that geographical details don’t matter. Kraan’s vivid illustrations are layered with wood-grain textures and charming details. Eagle-eyed readers will delight in noticing what each animal brings to the cave to share with others. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A lively read-aloud centered on community.