Review by Booklist Review
In this distinctive picture-book version of Moore's A Visit from St. Nicholas, the poem may be traditional, but the interpretation is lively and amusing. The story begins visually on the title page, where several boisterous little mice frolic with outsize stockings before hanging them above the fireplace. As the pages are turned, the charming setting is revealed: the mouse family's inventively furnished home, which is snow-covered outside but warm and cozy indoors. An accomplished artist in Plasticine modeling clay, Reid creates a series of playful illustrations that are richly colored and nicely composed. Observant children will enjoy finding the many intriguing details within the pictures. First published in Canada, this is an imaginative, childlike interpretation of a holiday favorite.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Never mind that shelves are jammed with versions of this classic: make room for Reid's (Picture a Tree) innovative interpretation, distinguished by her trademark Plasticine artwork and a generous supply of humor. Reid turns Moore's verse on its head, revealing a mouse who is very much stirring-it stares out at readers in alarm, caught in the act of sneaking a cookie from a bowl. This isn't the only mouse awake, either: its siblings are scrambling to hang their stockings by the fireplace. The discrepancy between the familiar words and fresh visuals provides ample humor as the mice resist bedtime, rather than nestling "all snug in their beds." Tableaux-style scenes let readers view antics on both stories of the mice's log house, and Reid's artistry results in detailed scenarios with uncommon dimension and texture. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-In this take on the classic poem, mice are not only stirring, they make up all the characters--from the narrator, a patriarch of a large, rambunctious family, to St. Nicholas himself. With her signature Plasticine illustrations that give off a textured claymation effect, Reid also deviates from the quiet Christmas Eve approach of past versions. As expected from a litter of eight plus two infant mice, there is a underlying sense of activity and energy. For example, the visions of sugarplums dancing over the children's heads are actual fruit being tossed from one top bunk to another, and no one really sleeps until St. Nicholas has done his job. Children will relate to this sense of holiday excitement and anticipation.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Reid turns her Plasticine talents to an interpretation of the classic poem. Taking her cue from "not even a mouse," she focuses her visual narrative on a mouse family that inhabits a cozy, snow-covered log. Though the busyness of its inhabitants betrays that many creatures are actually stirring, readers are likely to forgive this artistic license. They will be too busy poring over the detail-filled spreads to carp. A harassed mouse parent has a swaddled babe under one arm and vainly tries to keep another from playing with the Christmas stockings with the other. Far from being "nestled / all snug in their beds," these mouselings are raising a rumpus, climbing about on their bunk beds and tossing sugarplums at one another. Santa's approach is spectacular, pairs of Plasticine reindeer increasing in size to accentuate perspective as they pull a tiny mouse Santa aloft while a fox looks up from below. The jovial Santa is appropriately round, though he has just a faint hint of white chin whiskers. Apparently oblivious to the onlooking mouse family, he stuffs the stockings before departingas the mouse children scamper back into bed to avoid being caught out by mama and papa. The lively mischief will carry children past the narrative inconsistencies in this fun-filled romp. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
