The Aesop fable about a contented mouse from the country who second-guesses his happiness after his bragging cousin waxes about the wonders of city living is given gorgeous visual treatment in this retelling. Helen Ward’s exquisite watercolor illustrations make for lovely-to-look-at page spreads, whether detailing the beauty and abundance of the natural world or the magical chaos of the city when the country mouse decides to see what he’s been missing (“He discovered lights in the dark and automatic ups and downs”). Ward offers a range of intriguing perspectives that aren’t quite at mouse’s-eye view but seem inspired by her subject’s small size in the bigness of the world. Elegant page design adds to the pleasure of this volume. (Ages 4–8)

A gorgeously illustrated and poetically written classic, set in a 1930s-era city at Christmastime

Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangerous dogs! Helen Ward’s 1930s New York at Christmas is at once gorgeous and frighteningly busy. In the end the reader understands both why the town mouse loves his exciting life and why the country mouse is content with his peaceful home.