MR. McMOUSE

When Timothy (a typical Lionni mouse) looks in the mirror, he's startled to see a stranger in black who looks a lot like a businessman with a tail. So he leaves his city home and sets out for the country, where the mice are afraid of him until friendly Spinny names him Mr. McMouse. It's explained that he'll have to take some tests if he wants a "field mouse license": berry- eating, running, and tree-climbing. He fails the first two, heroically saves Spinny when a cat interrupts the third, and is awarded an Honorary License. Lionni's collages are clean and handsomely composed, and his expressive figures are appealing, but the story here—beginning as a rather adult parable, then degenerating into formula—lacks direction. Still, it's told with style and good humor, while the art of this three-time Caldecott Honor winner is always of interest. (Picture book. 3-7)