Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 5, 2015

Review

This easy reader re-edition of a Caldecott Honor book first published in 1969 in a picture book format will be much enjoyed by a new audience of early readers. Alexander is a little mouse who feels much maligned. When he meets a wind-up mouse named Willy whom is beloved and pampered, he thinks perhaps the grass is greener on the other side of the arched mouse-hole door. When he finds that there might be a magical way to turn himself into a wind-up mouse, the thought is very appealing. He is waiting for the requisite full moon to make the transition when Willy's circumstances change and not for the better. What will happen next? The illustrations are glorious, employing collage with lots of colors and patterns and that demonstrate the surroundings from the point of view of tiny mice. The twist on the fable may take a few readings to sink in for little ones, but this is a great story for the targeted beginner readers ages 6 to 9 and I recommend it without reserve.

Overall Book Score: excellent