Library Mouse: A World to Explore

March 12, 2012
Kirk’s fourth book about Sam the library mouse continues the exploration theme of the third book, Library Mouse: A World to Explore, while offering a significant focus on art. Along with Sarah, the adventure-seeking mouse he met in the previous story, Sam makes an after-hours visit to the museum next door, giving Sam his first trip outside the library and introducing both mice to art and artifacts from across the centuries. Kirk revels in the museum environment, and readers (with parental help) will be able to identify works by and allusions to Seurat, Hokusai, Degas, and many more. The mice, though, are a bit wooden, with the same basic expressions whether admiring statuary or running away from the museum’s resident artist cat. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2010

K-Gr 3-Sam the Library Mouse is back in this gentle story about facing fears and learning new things. He meets Sarah, a library mouse from across the stacks with a taste for adventure. She introduces him to the wonder of exploration while he shows her the joys of traveling through books and research. Students will relate to Sam's reluctance to try dangerous things and delight in Sarah's winsome enthusiasm for daring escapades. The gorgeous, bright gouache illustrations are meticulously detailed and expressive. The story is an excellent way to introduce research to the youngest patrons, which, according to Sam, is "how you find out about things." This visually appealing offering fits beautifully into the library curriculum.-Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 19, 2010
Sam the library mouse is content reading and writing about far-off places and events. When he meets Sarah, a daring mouse from the other side of the stacks, Sam is happy to pass on his book knowledge. But when Sarah tries to share her love of exploring the highest shelves, Sam struggles between his fears, Sarah's encouragement, and his own desire to be brave. Sam's realization that "readers and writers are explorers, too" is refreshing, but it's Sarah's response—"just think of the books you could write if you really got to see the world!"—that gives this story depth. Ages 6–9.