BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The Bear will tromp through the forest on his big, hungry feet, and SNIFF! SNIFF! SNIFF! find the strawberry …
No matter where it is hidden, or who is guarding it, or how it is disguised.
Don Woods’ soft pencil drawings take the reader right into a rodent-scale environment. The lush greens of the abundant garden are both paradise and potential danger to the quivering hero, who retreats to his safe home. An unusual narration technique has the Little Mouse addressed directly by a godlike voice which warns, then guides, and ensures that LM gets what he most wants.
In 1984, I would make notes, and set aside reviews of books I wanted, as I read the library and trade journals that St Kilda subscribed to. Most were from the US and UK so there was a delay before local booksellers acquired them: they would bring in boxes and crates of books that would be left for a few days for me and the Assistant Children’s Librarian to look through and select to order from our budget. Other interested staff could browse, and talk about their favourites too. Expenditure was strictly controlled and to buy from just anyone, let alone to attend a party with a purchase order in hand, was unthinkable. I didn’t even know this book existed.
I enjoyed the freedom of this choosing, and relished regular meetings with other children’s librarians. When I’d been a student and just the Assistant librarian myself, I’d kept my mouth shut, but now I was invited up to the high table with people much more experienced and knowledgeable than me. I remember a wonderful evening where others thoroughly unpacked Raymond Briggs’ work – my ill-informed remarks and half-baked opinions were tolerated with good grace. I wish all of these superb women well, wherever they are now.
There was no local bookshop near the library but I continued to haunt The Little Bookroom in my spare time – I’ve written about the legendary Albert Ullin in a separate post on this blog. I bought this, and many other reference books for my own use, there.
Being sold through party plan must have assured its survival until a dozen years later, when my son borrowed this duo’s Twenty-Four Robbers from our local library. Having my own personal book budget, and no restrictions on parties, I soon acquired this title and The Napping House which we all loved. Share half with me is a family phrase to this day.
40 Years of Picture Books 