The Rose Cottage Tales

April 6, 2009
Bearn makes her debut with a trio of comfortingly old-fashioned tales about a pair of kindly mice, living in a forgotten broom closet in dilapidated Rose Cottage, home to Arthur and Lucy Mildew and their father. Tumtum and Nutmeg's residence—Nutmouse Hall—is as splendid as the Mildews' home is forlorn, and the good-hearted couple secretly takes on the task of putting, and keeping, the cottage in order. Unexpected adventures ensue: in each of the stories the decidedly nonadventurous mice rescue friends and defeat enemies, always putting themselves in great danger and emerging victorious. Very British in setting, tone and supporting characters (a blustery mouse general, an elegant elderly ballet mistress and her troupe of young ballerinas, greedy pirate rats), the stories are filled with descriptions of good food, cheering fires and warm beds. Price's black-and-white line drawings have a scratchy, comic air that brings a welcome edge to the gentle storytelling. While some may find the adventures on the quiet side, the sympathetic characters, enchanting setting and quickly paced plots will hold readers' interest. Ages 6–9.

December 1, 2010

Gr 2-5 Tumtum and Nutmeg, two sweet mice, have "adopted" the children of Rose Cottage. Arthur and Lucy are neglected by their absentminded inventor father, so the mice mend clothes, make home repairs, tidy up, and generally look after their well-being. The three stories in this sequel to Tumtum and Nutmeg (Little, Brown, 2009) follow the mice as they risk their lives to retrieve Christmas gifts for the children from an evil neighboring mouse, attend to them on a seaside holiday replete with treasure maps and more evil mice, and get involved with some nasty circus mice. Their friend General Marchmouse, recently retired, can't resist an adventure, and is always in the thick of both the problems and solutions. There is a redundancy in the story lines and an overreliance on mechanical toys as conveyances; both will likely be overlooked by young readers. From a narrative standpoint, this sequel stands alone, but its foundational matter-the whimsical setting and character description-are not fully expressed here. Price's pen-and-ink pictures are well-suited to the story.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

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