Montigue on the High Seas

July 1, 1988
Montigue is a contented mole, until the day a heavy rain floods his underground home. Needing a place to weather the storm, he climbs into a dry-looking hole. But that hole is really a green bottle; by morning Montigue has been swept out to sea. His adventures place him aboard a ship, where all the mice fear Barnacles the cat. With Montigue's help, they sail for unknown parts in a whole fleet of bottles, and wind up on a peaceful island. Himmelman, creator of the characters Amanda the witch and Snuggle Piggy, creates a genuine hero in Montigue, who never goes in search of excitement; instead, adventure finds him. Working in sea-colored blues and greens and sunset oranges and golds, the author/artist offers an amiable story about a mole unafraid to live by himself, but tickled pink by the circumstances that give him neighbors. Ages 3-8.