Review by Booklist Review
Ages 4-6. Timothy is just a regular city mouse until the day he looks in the mirror and sees a little man reflected back at him. Timothy flees to the country, trying to figure out what's happened and what to do. A group of country mice recognize his true mousy essence and take Timothy under their wing. But: "If you want to stay for good," they point out, "you will have to get a field mouse license, and for that you'll have to pass some tests." Timothy fails the tests. He can't eat tickleberries, they make him sick. He's bad at running and worse at climbing. But when a cat is about to pounce, Timothy is able to lull the feline and save one of his new friends. In his signature fable form, Lionni is out to show that no matter how different you appear, true friends will appreciate you, and your own strengths will find you a place in the community. None of this is heavy handed, though parts of the story are obscure. Why Timothy turns into a man is never even hinted at, and moreover, Timothy, wearing a coat and bowler, doesn't even look like a man--he looks like a mouse wearing a coat and bowler. Kids may more readily accept this flight of fancy than will adults, and as always, youngsters will respond to Lionni's collage-style art, here most effectively used as backgrounds, both city wallpaper and country greenery. As with all of Lionni's stories, this can be used to discuss some important issues with young children. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 1992)0679838902Ilene Cooper
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Life as a happy handsome city mouse ends abruptly for Timothy when he looks into the mirror one morning and sees ``a strange creature dressed in black staring at him.'' His brown ears and furry gray body have been replaced by a human-like form sporting a man's hat and coat; only a long tail links him to his original incarnation. Fleeing the city in panic, Timothy seeks refuge in a typically quixotic, Lionni-esque countryside adorned with marbleized trees and paisley boulders. A band of field mice, reassured by the hero's tail, dub him Mr. McMouse and offer membership in their group--if he can pass a battery of tests and earn a field mouse license. The artist's trademark cut paper collages colorfully and succinctly illustrate Timothy's quest, though unfortunately the narrative here is a minor one. This slight tale's opening, in particular, may confuse little ones--why does Timothy change, and exactly who or what does he become? Still, Lionni ( Swimmy ; A Busy Year ) provides Timothy with a hero's ending and weaves a gentle message of self-awareness into this offbeat tale. Ages 2-6. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-- City mouse Timothy flees to the country after he awakens one morning to discover he has turned into a miniature man/mouse. At first, the field mice distrust him, but then he is befriended by Spinny, one of their company. She encourages Timothy in his efforts to earn a field mouse license so he can remain with them. He fails one test after another, until he and Spinny exhibit courage and cleverness in outwitting a cat. Lionni's familiar illustrations accompany this somewhat predictable story, although the moral of offering friendship to those who look different can hardly be faulted. This will be of most use in collections where Lionni is a proven favorite, rather than where it must attract new readers on its own merits. --Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN (c) Copyright 2010. 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
Timothy, a city mouse, goes to the country, where the mice tell him he can stay only if he can perform the necessary survival skills. He finally earns his 'field mouse license' by saving a country mouse from a dangerous cat and proving his worth. Lionni's fable, illustrated in collage, is a pleasant reworking of a traditional theme. From HORN BOOK 1992, (c) Copyright 2010. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When Timothy (a typical Lionni mouse) looks in the mirror, he's startled to see a stranger in black who looks a lot like a businessman with a tail. So he leaves his city home and sets out for the country, where the mice are afraid of him until friendly Spinny names him Mr. McMouse. It's explained that he'll have to take some tests if he wants a ``field mouse license'': berry- eating, running, and tree-climbing. He fails the first two, heroically saves Spinny when a cat interrupts the third, and is awarded an Honorary License. Lionni's collages are clean and handsomely composed, and his expressive figures are appealing, but the story here--beginning as a rather adult parable, then degenerating into formula--lacks direction. Still, it's told with style and good humor, while the art of this three-time Caldecott Honor winner is always of interest. (Picture book. 3-7)
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