Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop

The newest Lowry title features a community of church mice leading a discreet existence for their own safety and security. Hildegarde, the Mouse Mistress, keeps stern but caring watch over all of them. With potential dangers such as the Blessing of the Animals looming (there may be CATS!) and ensuring no accidental sightings (might set traps or worse!), she has quite a lot to handle. Rest assured this apparently sweet story may have a little more to it than meets the eye. It is Lois Lowry after all. These mice are true characters, and you will recognize yourselves or neighbors in many of them. The ways that mice are “handled” is spelled out clearly. This would be a good book for discussion as well as those readers that are transitioning to meatier subjects. Ms. Lowry also tosses in a happy dose of history and useful vocabulary to stretch the brain a little, something that I absolutely love about her work.