Santa Mouse Bakes Christmas Cookies

September 1, 2022
Santa Mouse prepares cookies for St. Nick and the reindeer team. Ordinarily, mice might be an unwelcome sight in a kitchen, but in his tiny suit, Santa Mouse makes a wonderful seasonal chef, baking holiday treats with the help of the elves. This tale, told in rhyming couplets, shows Santa Mouse stirring up the batter, making cookies in various shapes, and adding icing and sprinkles. Santa Claus is pleased with the snacks--Santa Mouse has even remembered to make some for the reindeer. The titular critter is irresistible, with a faux beard and striped mittens. The elves' kitchen is something plucked straight from a child's imagination, endearingly too large for the little helpers and even bigger compared with the tiny mouse. There are also some delicious details, like Santa Mouse's sardine-can bed, his thimblelike sprinkle shaker, and the timer on the table set exactly to the 30 minutes described in the text. The story is well matched to the board-book format. The simple plot is easy for toddlers to follow, with read-aloud-friendly rhymes and lovely, engaging illustrations. Santa presents as White, while the elves vary in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet holiday tale perfect for little readers. (Board book. 2-4)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 16, 2022

PreS-K-Early one morning, Santa Mouse wakes up with thoughts of Christmas in his head. When a delightful aroma reaches his nose, Santa Mouse heads to the kitchen to investigate. There, he finds a plethora of elves in motion as they prepare for the imminent Christmas holiday. The elves help Santa Mouse climb up to the counter where he can craft his sugary delights. The cookies he makes are filled with Christmas spirit, festive shapes, and colorful decorations, and they are the perfect addition to Santa Claus's big night. This board book is the newest in the "Santa Mouse" series, and it honors the feel of the previous stories while bringing Santa Mouse into a more modern context. Visible brush strokes and pen lines give the illustrations a feeling of texture and depth, and the colors and imagery used throughout the book enhance its overall Christmas sentiment. Especially well-suited to very young children, this narrative incorporates on each page rhyming couplets that have a balanced meter; together, they make the story a delight to read aloud. Though necessarily simplistic in design due to the length of the story and its intended audience, the book nonetheless manages to include adequate details within a complete storyline that will leave readers feeling satisfied at the conclusion. VERDICT This charming addition to the "Santa Mouse" series is a lovely Christmas selection, and it will be especially enjoyed by families with very young children.-Mary Lanni

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.