Be Quiet!

Higgins's premise couldn't be simpler: Rupert the mouse sets out to create a wordless picture book ("They're very artistic"), but his talkative sidekicks, Thistle and Nibbs, have more than a little trouble with the concept of wordlessness. "This book is going to be so much fun!" Thistle says. "Quiet, you!" Rupert yells. All three mice will be familiar to readers of Hotel Bruce, and, here, Rupert's outsize Groucho glasses and moustache help to establish his credibility as an artistic director. "This book will be more than fun. It will be visually stimulating," he explains. "What does 'vishery strigulating' mean?" asks Nibbs. It just keeps on going like that, with ever-less-helpful suggestions from Nibbs and Thistle ("A cucumber!") and ever-more-unhinged fury from Rupert ("Stop filling my brilliant piece of wordless literature with nonsense!"). Of course the project marches right off a cliff, but watching it go is entertainment gold. The story's backdrops are as polished as the characters, Higgins breathes emotional life into his characters, both visually and verbally, and his smart, laugh-out-loud comedy is expertly paced. Ages 3-5. Agent: Paul Rodeen; Rodeen Literary Management. (Apr.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 3--Rupert the mouse is excited to finally have the opportunity to create his very own book. He decides that it will be wordless, since wordless books are -very artistic.- Rupert cannot wait to get started. However, his dream project is interrupted by two well-meaning but extremely chatty little friends. They are so excited to offer Rupert ideas that they do not even realize that they are filling up the book with words! Rupert becomes increasingly frustrated as things quickly spin out of control. Adding animals to the story? Superheroes? A chain saw? Rupert is flabbergasted! Will his wordless picture book ever come to fruition? Set in the forest, with mice as main characters, this picture book is sure to amuse. The text, appearing in a large, handwritten font and in speech bubbles, is well spaced and easy to read. The giggle-inducing conversations among the characters are fast-paced and witty. The illustrations are large and comical, inviting readers to fully experience the range of emotions displayed by the characters. VERDICT This hilarious and fun read-aloud will be a hit at storytime. Kids will be laughing out loud.--Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

PRAISE FOR MOTHER BRUCE—E. B. White Read-Aloud Award