An appealing if not essential pick.-Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NYĬopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. The spare, uncluttered images will make easy viewing for storytimes, although the intended humor of the large gnome, flamingo, and other lawn statuary that populate the snowy pages may be lost on young children. The party scene, with charming details of acorn-top cups and bottle-cap hats, delivers the surprise that the birthday boy is a rabbit, making a carrot the perfect present after all.

The mouse lands safely, and the two proceed to the festivities with the new gift. Surely it must be cheese? At this point, children will be shouting out that it's a carrot, not cheese, and will share in Squeak's concern when Pip falls into the snow.

Then he spots something big and orange on the face of a snowman. With no time to turn back, Pip tries to find a substitute, each of which is rejected by his companion.

But there's freshly fallen snow and an exciting ride on an envelope-turned-sled, and the cheese is forgotten. PreSchool-Grade 1-Squeak reminds her friend Pip not to forget Gus's birthday present as the two mice rush to his party. 'Two Mice rush through the snow to get to their friend's birthday party, only to realize that they forgot to bring the present.' This book sits on the memorable animal shelf but, sadly, it may be all too soon forgotten. But the story itself is slow and young children may become bored by it and the antics of Pip and Squeak, mice who are on the hunt for a gift for the unseen(until the end) Gus.

The illustrations in this picture book are vibrant, featuring bright primary colors and large, realistic characterizations.

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