Little Shrew

With understated storytelling and shadowy pencil, charcoal, and acrylic gouache artwork that's simultaneously winsome and melancholy, Miyakoshi (I Dream of a Journey) examines the everyday life of a small shrew who lives modestly among humans. In the first of three satisfying sections, Little Shrew breakfasts on honey biscuits, commutes by train to a routine day at the office, stops at a bakery for "two rye bread rolls and one white roll," and, after dinner, works on "this evening's to-do"--an act that results in a well-earned success. The second chapter reveals another side of Little Shrew as he trades his scarf for a used television and discovers a new world in an underwater ocean scene that catalyzes "a dream of traveling to a tropical island" as well as a minor decor change. In the final section, Little Shrew prepares for an annual visit from two dear friends. After he makes soup and cleans, the furry guests arrive bearing honey and fancy chocolate, and the three chat and sing before saying goodbye. ("It was a good year," Little Shrew reflects.) Whether or not Little Shrew will one day get the trip he yearns for, renderings of quiet, precisely completed routines and the occasional celebration bring security and contentment to this intimate here-and-now portrait. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5-8. (June)

Gr 1-3--Anthropomorphic Little Shrew lives in an apartment, works in a people-filled world, and is content with his weekly routine. A story in three parts that has slightly longer text than many picture books follows Little Shrew as he solves a puzzle, then barters for a TV at a garage sale--which leads to dreams of visiting warmer places. In the third section, Little Shrew celebrates New Year's with two mice friends. The New Year's party scene does have the male mouse holding two alcoholic beverages. This is perhaps in recognition of Japanese culture, where there are beer vending machines and a different attitude towards alcohol. Using pencil, charcoal, and acrylic gouache, this tale is brought to life through black-and-white illustrations interspersed with colorful pages. The artwork does appear slightly pixelated; the black-and-white pages appear similar to an old TV set with an almost fuzzy look. A downside is the physical size, a mere 6 x 8 inches and 72 pages. Chapter book in size, but almost beginning reader-esque in the use of white space, picture book in concept--where to shelve this? The text is mostly one and two syllable words, with a few longer words included. VERDICT Charming in so many ways, this will take some hand-selling to find its true audience.--Sarah Sieg