A day with Mousse

PreS-Gr 2--Mousse is a fantastical green-and-white striped creature whose wardrobe decisions entail choosing his daily pair of socks. All of his other rituals are similarly predictable, like savoring early morning on the beach and slowly sipping his coffee as the rising tide fills his home. This is hardly a problem for Mousse, who goes for a swim in his living room and delights in the sea treasures left behind. In fact, his business is to mail boxes of these treasures to those who don't have the luxury of living near the sea. But Mousse's daily life is interrupted when an uninvited walrus named J.P. Barnacle enters his house and takes up residence, challenging the reclusive Mousse to include a new someone in his life. Readers will enjoy spotting Barnacle, who appears in the softly hued illustrations sometimes unbeknown to Mousse, and they'll laugh at the end when Barnacle isn't the only creature now sharing Mousse's bed. This charming fantasy is suitable for reading independently or as a read-aloud. VERDICT A pleasing picture book with a chapter book format that will be a nice addition to most collections.--Gloria Koster

Mousse enjoys himself while dealing with an unexpected, demanding houseguest. Mousse--a small, long-snouted creature with a green-and-white-striped body and stick-figure limbs--begins each day by reveling in such simplicities as "the strip of sunlight that shines through his window each day." As the day goes on, readers learn that the nearby sea washes into Mousse's house daily, allowing him to make a living by collecting marine treasures such as shells (he takes care to return living animals to the water) and shipping them to online buyers. But today, a walrus named Barnacle has washed in with the tide and begins to help himself to Mousse's food and favorite book. Mousse unceremoniously attempts to oust Barnacle. The illustrations that follow hilariously contradict the text, which implies that Barnacle has left; he has in fact used Mousse's bathtub and slept in Mousse's bed. Yet compassionate Mousse eventually nurses Barnacle through an illness and tolerates a visit from Barnacle's large family. Reminiscent of the late William Steig's work, this imaginative French import blends elegant turns of phrase with delicate art, rendered in watercolor and pen and ink. Divided into three chapters, the text includes challenging syntax and vocabulary, but emergent readers will eagerly push on, encouraged by the gentle humor and by their feelings of sophistication over the naïve Mousse. The interplay between visuals and words is a sheer delight, while the final punchline will have little ones giggling. Enchanting.(Picture book/early reader. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.