Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Twohy (Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run!) tells this warm friendship story entirely through dialogue, bolstered by airy, expressive mixed-media artwork. As the book opens, Mouse is seen contentedly painting at an easel on what appears to be a rock in the middle of a lake-but is actually the back of a submerged hippopotamus, who knocks Mouse into the water while attempting to scratch an itch. "Your itch was me... and... help... I can't swim!" shouts Mouse, flailing in the water. After a quick rescue, a friendship springs up as Mouse offers to paint Hippo's portrait. Hippo is thrilled with the result-a swath of gray that fills Mouse's tiny canvas-and returns the favor with an equally droll portrait of Mouse. "You made me look so cute!" exclaims Mouse (the painting is a tiny black dot on a white background). It's in no way a flashy story, but Twohy does a fine job of establishing his heroes' personalities while highlighting the rewards of opening one's eyes to new experiences and friendships. Ages 4-8. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-How does a mouse view a hippo? How does a hippo view a mouse? And, more important, can they be friends? This is an entertaining commentary on artistic perspective, but at heart, it's a comical story of friendship. Twohy uses India ink, watercolor, and felt pen to create cartoon depictions of a cheerful though slightly ratty-looking mouse and an equally jolly hippo. They meet unexpectedly when Mouse accidentally sets up his painting easel on Hippo's back. Extensive use of white space draws readers' attention to the action as the unlikely pair bond over a mishap and an appreciation of painting. The first-person dialogue is presented in two different fonts and colors to easily delineate which character is speaking. Similar to Claudia Rueda's Is It Big or Is It Little?, this offering showcases the concept of relative size but in a more plot-driven fashion. The action is straightforward and simple, but the subtle and humorous lesson in perspective makes this book suitable for school-age kids, too. VERDICT Cheerful characters will give this title shelf appeal and make it a storytime hit and a favorite for art teachers as well.-Lisa Taylor, Jacksonville Public Library, FL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Review by Horn Book Review
In this tale of two friends--and two portraits--Mouse offers to paint Hippo's portrait after Hippo rescues Mouse, and then Hippo reciprocates by painting Mouse's. There are sight gags and lively conversation, and the portraits capture their delighted subjects in comically abstract ways. Bright cartoon art with bold line-work using India ink, watercolor, and felt pens provides a visual narration for color-coded dialogue. (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.
