Review by Booklist Review
Welcome to the White House, the ancestral home of the Squeakertons since 1800, when this distinguished mouse family (and John Adams) first moved in. Now it's moving day again, and as the incoming president and her family make their way to the inauguration, the moving crew unpacks their belongings. Meanwhile, young mice Ava and Dean go on a daring quest in the executive residence, hoping to score a LEGO block, though they have never seen one. After a harrowing escapade, they return with an unexpected treasure and the promise of more adventures to come. This accessible chapter book features large print, a well-paced story, and appealing black-and-white drawings that strike a cheerful tone overall. While this down-to-earth adventure has a twenty-first-century setting, the information in the back matter stretches back to 1789 with portraits of the presidents, a few glimpses of presidential history, and descriptions of inauguration days as well as White House moving days. An easygoing combination of fiction, fact, and fun.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Ava and Dean Squeakerton are hidden residents of the White House. They, along with their numerous mouse family members, dwell secretly in the walls and attic of the presidential home, unbeknownst to the human occupants. The series opener takes place on a very important day: the inauguration of a new president. The small rodents are excited because this means new people with new belongings will be taking up residence below. They are always searching for artifacts for their Treasure Room, especially the most coveted of all things, "The Lego." They are sure the new president's son will have these awesome trinkets. Problem is, Ava and Dean take off exploring before the movers have even unpacked any boxes and find themselves in a bit of an awkward and dangerous situation. The human children, and their pet cat, see the little mice, and chaos ensues. The black-and-white illustrations are simple yet not without some charm, adding to the appeal for new readers. The borrowing tendencies of these young mice and their ancestors bring to mind John Peterson's "The Littles" series, though the writing here is not as polished or as clever as that of Peterson. VERDICT A simply told selection that may interest emerging readers who enjoy animal tales or are interested in the American presidency; an additional purchase for larger chapter book collections.-Carol Hirsche, Barnett Elementary, Payson, UT © Copyright 2016. 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 Horn Book Review
Mouse siblings Ava and Dean Squeakerton take advantage of moving day at the White House to embark on a quest to sneak a Lego from the new president's son's bedroom. This gentle tale, with grayscale illustrations to match, is packed with references to past presidents. Readers looking for a low-key read may forgive the too-conveniently-averted crises. Presidential facts are appended. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
