LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!

Three clever mice (budding artists all) deconstruct a famous painting, and use what they learn to explore their own ideas about art. The Bigley family’s three resident mice—Alexander, Kiki and Kat—hear the “CLACK” of the mail slot and, knowing the Bigleys are away, rush to intercept the delivery, which happens to be a picture postcard from a friend named Art. “Looking at paintings is wonderful!” his message declares. On the opposite side is the Portrait of Lady Clopton; she’s an elaborately dressed Elizabethan lady. Following the advice of the book’s title, the mouse trio explores the oil painting through tiny picture frames that they cut from pieces of paper. They discover that they can see the painting in different ways, through its colors, shapes and lines. Armed with this knowledge, they create their own art. There’s a handy glossary and a step-by-step art project: “Making a Self-Portrait Picture Postcard.” An accessible book, packed with learning opportunities. (Picture book. 5-8)