LITTLE MOUSE

This variant of The Mouse Bride, originally published in Rotterdam, features an unlikely prenuptial pair. Startled by a hermit resting in a meadow, an owl flying overhead drops its dinner mouse into his arms, and the man vows to care for the mouse like a daughter. The two live together for years until the time comes for the mouse to choose a husband. She wants the strongest being on earth so they set off to find him. First they ask Sun, who says it’s Cloud, who says it’s Wind, who says it’s Mountain. But Mountain says he’s crumbling from a strong force and they discover a mouse digging inside the mountain—making him the strongest being. The mouse couple makes a home close to the hermit, who, in the years that follow, welcomes many mice into his life. The tale retains the familiar folktale motif and Grobler’s stylized illustrations (with touches of Drescher and Heo) are interesting, but the text lacks drama. Livelier versions exist. (Picture book/folktale. 5-8)