Pip & Squeak

Pip and Squeak, two mice, have been invited to a birthday party for their friend Gus, and their gift, a lump of cheese, is wrapped with a bow. But a huge snow has fallen, and getting to the party isn't easy: sliding on a letter, walking the tightrope of a clothesline. It's only later that Squeak notices that Pip has forgotten the cheese. Now what? There are a few items that seem like possible gifts. Would Gus like the plastic pink flamingo buried in the snow? Finally, the mice spot a carrot functioning as a snowman's nose; at least they can carry it. Pip thinks Gus won't like it, but in a surprise ending, Gus (a bunny), likes it very much. This simple yet clever story gets literal breadth by its spacious design. Several of the spreads are taken up by snowy landscapes. Some feature close-ups from unexpected angles, and everything is designed to show things from a mouse's perspective. Schoenherr's draftsmanship is quite fine; Pip and Squeak look like real mice, albeit adventurous ones. ~Booklist, amazon.com