Cheer Up, Mouse! by Jed Henry (review)

Poor Mouse is clearly down in the dumps, looking dejected even in the face of a shower of flower petals and a tune played by a squirrel on a walnut-shell violin. His woodland friends rally around him, each trying a different method to cheer him up—the crow takes him flying, the frog plops him into the water for an impromptu swim, the mole stuffs him underground to do some therapeutic digging, the badger tries to feed him pink grubs. When their overenthusiastic efforts leave Mouse sadder than ever, it is the little chipmunk who finally gives him what he really needs: a hug. Young kids who are just beginning to practice empathy themselves (and, as here, with sometimes less than successful results) will likely relate to this tale, and though the message is a bit simplistic, it is age-appropriate. Henry’s brief text is clear and poetic (“Splash and paddle, wash and wade—Cheer up, Mouse!”) and follows a satisfyingly predictable pattern without being repetitious. The mixed-media illustrations (watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, and digital media) are warm and woodsy, with rich greens and browns predominating in the hues of the animals’ fur and skins and in the forest background. Figures and landscapes have a controlled but softly brushy look, and the cinnamon-colored mouse, with his white tummy and pink ears, nose, and toes, is both cute and appropriately vulnerable. This might be fun to partner with Alborough’s Hug and/or Schmid’s Hugs from Pearl (BCCB 1/11) for a squeeze-filled storytime.