THE GETAWAY

Inviting readers to be his lookouts, and whistle (“You know how to whistle, don’t you? Just put your lips together and blow”) should pursuing pachyderm police officer Jumbo Wayne Jr. catch up, cheese-stealing mouse Fingers McGraw leads a high-speed scamper down seedy back streets rendered with a mix of Photoshopped urban images and digitally created cartoon art. Replete with subplots, plus narrow escapes from rats, cats and other shady characters, this nocturnal escapade makes a compelling draw, even for children who won’t catch the many movie references. Fingers is eventually nabbed—but as the final page and the sensationalistic newspaper story on the endpapers reveal, no jail can hold him for long. Better guard your gorgonzola. (Picture book. 6-8)