Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse

February 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 1-First published in 1966, and featuring the original art, The Little Brute Family can now be enjoyed as a newly formatted book for beginning readers. The Brutes are scruffy, grumbling creatures similar to trolls. They snarl and grimace when they eat and avoid pleasantries such as "Please" or "Thank you." They never laugh or smile. One day Baby Brute finds a lost good feeling in a field of daisies. He puts it in his pocket and shares it with his family. The good feeling becomes so much a part of their lives that they rename themselves the Nice Family. Next, Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse, favorite characters from George Selden's A Cricket in Times Square (Farrar, 1961), enjoy their days together. In the evenings, Harry Cat likes to go to the theater while Tucker Mouse prefers to stay in the drain pipe they call home. When the feline is offered a part in a Broadway play, he has little time for Tucker, who tells his friend how much he is missed. Tucker attends one of his performances and realizes that Harry has become a star, and he accepts the reality that their friendship is doomed. However, Harry forgoes the limelight, deciding to spend his time with his old pal. The Ivanovs' artwork is in the style of Garth Williams, illustrator of the original story. Large, bold, and vibrant ink and watercolor images grace each page. New readers will enjoy this introduction to the classic tale and be touched by the lesson about the importance of friendship. Both books are worthy additions to beginning-reader collections.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.