LITTLE MOUSE'S BIRTHDAY CAKE
by Thacher Hurd & illustrated by Thacher Hurd
A second, more predictable, book about the hero of Little Mouse's Big Valentine (1990): Little Mouse thinks that his friends have forgotten his birthday. Instead of desponding, he sets out on skis to climb Mouse Mountain, enjoying his outing (admiring the view, he ``imagined that he was sitting on top of a giant birthday cake'') until he loses his way on the homeward glide. His friends literally track him down, then ski back with him to their surprise party. A better-than-average run-through of a popular formula: the details are offbeat, while Hurd's glowing, free-style illustrations are a pleasure. (Picture book. 3-6)