Quick Booktalk
Mina the mouse isn't bothered by much, but when her father brings home a cat he believes to be a squirrel, she can't help but be concerned. Her dad says everything will be okay, but it sure takes a while to get there.
About the Illustrations
This book is very similar in style and color scheme to the author's previous title, Pokko and the Drum. The illustrations contrast the innocence and enthusiasm of Mina's father with the utterly unimpressed attitude of the cat in a way that injects subtle humor into each picture. Though this book is a bit less dark than Pokko, and a lot less strange than books by Jon Klassen, it has that same understated and sardonic sense of humor, and the pictures capture that nicely.
Story Time Possibilities
The first story time theme that came to mind for me as I read this book was "cat and mouse." It's a unique twist on that age-old rivalry, and it would be fun to build a story time around that concept. While a father and daughter are present in the story, it would feel weird to read something like this for Father's Day, as the dad comes across as kind of clueless and bumbling. Because the book is subtle, I would consider it only for school-age audiences, or for situations (like mine) where the age range at story time is broad. (I have ages 0 to 10 at my story times and might read it to them.)
Readers Advisory
This book is a little out there. That's not a bad thing in this case; it just means it's not going to be to everyone's taste. I do think it's lighter and less disturbing than Pokko and the Drum, so if you didn't like that one, this one might still work for you. I did notice that the publisher describes this as a story about Mina choosing to trust her own instincts over her father, and I do think that's a message to watch out for. I have a real pet peeve about books (or librarians, or teachers, or anyone or anything) that purposely tries to get between parent and child. Considering the silly context here, though, I don't think there is much cause for concern. I might do a quick debriefing with my kids afterward to discuss why they can trust their own parents, but it depends on which aspects of the story they end up gravitating toward.
Disclosure
I received a finished copy of Mina from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.
