The House that Mouse Built Hardcover – Picture Book, March 29, 2011

When my children were young they loved books about mice. Kids know that mice are miniatures, and so the illustrations needed to have detail worth studying. They also loved stories with interesting sly twists, so that things didn't end predictably. Extra points for a good yarn and subplots, if tightly bound to the main story, were good too. Rhymes that worked without straining were a bonus.The story, told concisely and satisfyingly in rhyme, is one that children can relate to: Mouse has built a house and a second mouse, Musetta, takes his piece of cheese. This act provokes a chain of events that's exactly right for small children: a bumblebee stings the wrongdoer, who is appropriately upset, and Woolly Bear caterpillar helps out. There is a final plot twist that is just right for adults and kids alike.The illustrations are photographs of the insects and mice in interiors, fabulously detailed vignettes, and rural settings in which Mouse, Musetta, and the pair of fuzzy insects have their adventure and even include, eventually, a judge's chambers. The faces of the mice and the body language seem terrifically "real" but of course are more than "real" (mice register suprise and delight in this story)-- and appeal powerfully to imagination. All of this is crafted incomprehensibly cleverly and well by illustrator Maggie Rudy. Children as young as three will love to spot buttons, corks, tea balls,a coin, matchbooks, bottle caps, and even a big old shoe repurposed for mouse fittings, furniture, and the stuff that is strewn about in the country. All ages will be wowed by the realism of the pictures. Each day is brightly sunny and that works well, too; the mood is just right.This remarkable book succeeds on so many levels. It is smart, compassionate and unpreachy in just the ways you want a children's book to be. A discerning toddler, child, parent or grandparent will be enthralled and delighted. And if you are asked to read it many, many times, the illustrations will keep you interested. I'm buying copies for the several small children I know.

This utterly charming, whimsical, magical book makes my heart happy. I purchased it for a friend's little daughter, but will be buying one for myself as well. And whenever I'm low, grumpy, crabby, or depressed about the state of the world I'll take a little side-trip to the fantastic world of Mouse and Musetta. This is definitely a children's book that can be enjoyed (thoroughly) by adults.Also: someone make a documentary about Maggie Rudy, quick! SHE is magical as well!

The book arrived quickly from the seller. This is a truly wonderful book for children and adults alike. In visiting Ms. Rudy's blog, it is like no other. She is a very talented artist and storyteller. Sharing this book with children is so much better than any regular "I Spy" or similar book that is out there. Either an adult or child gives a description on an item on the page while the other one has to find it. There are so many details in the pictures, and children can use their imagination, also, to create a story about what is happening in the picture. It is very interesting to go behind the scenes on her blog to see how she develops each picture story of the mice in different surroundings.

What a lovely sweet book that takes you away to the world of wee mice and other fantastic creatures! The imagination that Maggie has is incredible and you need to really soak in each page as there are so many hidden treasures to find. What also brings me under Maggie's spell is seeing the joy she has in creating her fantasy world for her wee mice. Every detail is fascinating and her book takes you back to a time when you could dream like an innocent child. Pam's sweet story is so darling and fitting for Maggie's endearing mice. Bruce did a fabulous job photographing the tiny world of Maggie's mice.Cheers and here is to many more magical books to come!

Cute book, but it was squeezed into a puff plastic envelope, no cardboard to support this very thin soft cover book, so it arrives all bent. To pay twenty something dollars for little thing paper back, you would expect that it would be shopped properly. Disappointing

Cute book. It wasn't what I thought it was though. I thought because it was in the craft section, it was to make the mice and the miniatures in the house. It turns out it was a story about the mice and the house they built. However, I got some cool ideas for my own miniature house, and then gave the book to a friend, for her to read to her 2 year old granddaugher. So far, that book is well read and well loved!

I am an artist and I work in mixed media. I bought the book for myself to enjoy. I love Maggie Rudy's work and I now have all of her books.

Maggie Rudy of Portland, Oregon has created Musetta Mouse, her family, characters and setting for the story from her crafting room. Children will have fun locating all the small items used to create the book. The story is somewhat like Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Two Bad Mice, when those mice steal from the doll house to furnish their own home and growing family. The story's rhythm is like the "House the Jack Built."

OK but not as much content as l would have liked

This is the cutest little story for very young children I have seen in a long time.The pictures of the mouse house are wonderful - similar to 'The Borrowers' - and also of interest to any adult who, like me, loves dolls' houses.The repetition of the phrases in the book are just what young children love, and I wish I had had that book when my own children were young.

Beautiful book, fabulous illustration and pristine condition

excellent

Such imagination! Loved it!