Two grouchy old mice live in an ancient shell of an abandoned car. The illustrations are top-notch and our 3 year old grandson loves talking about them. The story is all right, though the plot is not strong. The verse is grating because of the constant use of the word "mousery" to rhyme with itself. After the 4th time this happened in just a few pages, grandpa handed the book to grandma and said, "You finish reading it to him, I can't stand any more." Only Great Aunt Nina really loves the verse and thinks the rhymes are just so sweet. The three year old likes the book, but it is not a favorite. He was through with it after just a few readings. Books he LOVES, such as The Color Kittens and Runaway Bunny (both by Margaret Wise Brown)he wants over and over and can recite by heart.

We really enjoy "The Mousery." Our four-year old gets a kick out of saying "the mousery" at the right spots in the text. The illustrations are wonderful and have given us lots of fodder for extended discussion of this story, mice, uses for old cars, and berry growing, among other things. That's one of the things that I think is important in books for this age group--you should be able to take the text and go on with it so the kids get used to thinking about stories, not just hearing them. This book got us going so far we even made our own "mousery" out of some boxes, fabric, etc. That was a project that took us through several long winter days and still holds our attention when we bring it out. Yep, we like "The Mousery" very much.

Can two ill-tempered mice hold on to their gloomy lifestyle when four, wee mouskins come knocking? This author shares a heart- warming, rhyming tale about two mice, Sliver and Slice, who live alone and want no guests in their Mousery. On occassion, a couple wandering mice try to join Sliver and Slice but are reminded that they are trespassing and the Mousery is not a hotel. This continues until one snowy night when four, shivering mousekins squeak, "Let us in." After looking at their ragged and thin sweaters, Sliver and Slice are weakened by the sight and cautiously unlatch the door, allowing the four to enter. The grateful mousekins immediately show their appreciation by building a fire and cooking brown beans and rice. In no time at all, the little mousekins capture the hearts of Sliver and Slice by singing a tune that their grandmother sang long ago. Sliver and Slice come to realize that they have been wrong by not wanting guests, and before long the Mousery is fifty three stong with laughter, squeals, and tasty meals. The illustrator delights the readers through vivid and very detailed scenes which take place mainly under the trunk and hood of an old, abandoned car. The illustrator cleverly uses auto parts such as a motor oil can as a fireplace and a license plate that reads NIX 2U. The Mousery can be told through the illustrations alone, but the tale is greatly enhanced by the lively, rhyming text.

Mr. Duncan was a paint salesman. He lived in the Pocono Mountains and traveled all over the U.S. selling paints. But he met Serena Katz over the phone. She worked in a hardware store in New York City and was one of his best customers.

Whenever he phoned, she would ask for the latest colors and then order--Luscious Lemon, Lobster Red, Banana Surprise, Raspberry Riot. With one order, she also issued an invitation for the entire Duncan family to come and stay in her roomy brownstone.

Before they left the Poconos, the Duncans heard a half dozen stories from as many people about Serena Katz. She was the best pool player on the West Side, she pulled gerbils out of her ears, she was called Krazy Katz for her daring motorcycle stunts, she baked stupendous wedding cakes, she tamed lions.

When they got to town, Krazy Katz helped the Duncans paint the town red--and confirmed some stories in the Kraziest way.

This is not a classic, but it's cute. Children like to hear it again and again. Hang on to your handlebars. Alyssa A. Lappen

Serena Katz is the name of an interesting woman, as the Duncan family discovers. Everyone in town seems to know Serena Katz, but everyone knows her as something different. The Duncan family goes to visit Serena in the city to learn for themselves. The book has humorous, colorful, interesting illustrations throughout that really make the book. The story teaches that people are not always what they would seem - - and that you can do anything you want to if you put your mind to it. The little elderly lady who buys paint from Mr. Duncan's store actually knows how to ride a motorcycle, fly a hot air balloon, create fabulous wedding cakes, and tame lions. A fun book to read to kids 4 and up. Well done illustrations!

My family, including my 8-year-old daughter, love this book. The illustrations are great, the story fun and straight forward, and the ending a delightful surprise. Why does the Grizwaldo look so much like Daniel? What my family most likes about the book is the strongly positive female role model. We have many books with strong females, but Mangaboom has a light, joyful self assuredness that we have seldom seen. Really a winner.