Brave as a Mouse

April 1, 2021
A goldfish in danger is the subject of action-packed, mouse-hatched rescue plans. In a very quiet house, a fish (known only as "the fish") accepts an invitation from Mouse to play. The fish splashes about as Mouse uses a straw to blow bubbles. The fun is interrupted by a trio of black cats, ready to make the fish their feast. The white and brown mouse, who turns out to be the resourceful ringleader of a small group of mice, gets an idea. "It was a wild idea. It was a bold idea. It was a brave idea. But was it a good idea?" The idea involves leading the cats into a pantry well-stocked with kibble, then collecting the fish in a teacup in order to transport it to a nearby river for release. For a story with so much action, it all feels remarkably restrained, with a minimum of small-font text and no embellishments like wild sound-effect wording or exaggerated action. Aside from the rescue itself (mice delicately balancing a fish in a teacup), the story is told with a beautifully rendered realism, every illustration using subtle shadows and muted pastels to give the tale a strong sense of place, even when the action goes outdoors. For some readers, it may be a little too muted, but it's hard to quibble with such gorgeous visuals. Plus, the ending wraps up definitively and wordlessly without overstaying its welcome (or adding any cautions about the inadvisability or illegality of releasing goldfish into nearby waterways). It's all very efficient. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) A contained action story, told more through realistic visuals than unnecessary text and adornments. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Starred review from July 19, 2021
A modest concept comes alive in Carozzi’s well-paced story of the friendship between a small brown-and-white mouse and a pet goldfish. The pair play well together, Mouse blowing bubbles into the fish’s round bowl, until “three others wanted to play, too”—the shadows of three cats appear chillingly on the wall. What ensues is a dangerous rescue mission, as Mouse attempts to escape the trio, and help its fishy friend flee forever. A spare refrain (“It was a wild idea. It was a bold idea. It was a brave idea. But was it a good idea?”) is divided across several spreads, with the visual action drawing readers’ focus. Visually uncluttered graphite on paper drawings, enhanced digitally, render each scene in realistic detail, the house’s shifting shadows and wafting curtains particularly well-rendered with a generous helping of chiaroscuro. An immersive, elegantly suspenseful animal-focused escapade. Ages 3–7.

July 1, 2021
This American picture-book debut from Italian illustrator Carozzi depicts an unlikely friendship between a goldfish and a mouse. They live in an elegant home of minimalist design in which the pets take precedence. When the household's cats become interested in the goldfish, living snugly inside its bowl, Mouse hatches a plan to trick them into sleep -- and then sneaks the fish into the local river via a teacup, thereby releasing its dear friend from harm. The illustrations do the heavy lifting in this sparely worded volume; at one point, we read only that "Mouse had an idea," as we watch the action unfold. The addition of "It was a wild idea," "It was a bold idea," and "It was a brave idea" is followed by "But was it a good idea?" This is repeated toward the book's close as we watch intrepid Mouse put the rescue plan into action. The imaginative ways in which Mouse and Fish "play" together at the book's opening are delightful (expect giggles), and the thrilling escape is perfectly paced. Carozzi's graphite illustrations feature a subdued palette; the use of silhouettes, particularly when the cats first appear, enhances the book's delicious sense of mischief. An entertaining game of cat and mouse. And one lucky fish. Julie Danielson

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from April 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Mouse and Goldfish are great friends, frolicking happily until three cats appear. What to do? Mouse has a bold, brave (but not necessarily good) idea: he leads the felines on a frantic chase through the house, ending inside the pantry. Is it the end for Mouse? Luckily, no, as the cats discover big bags of their favorite food. While the felines are distracted, Mouse and some pantry mice concoct a scheme to permanently save Goldfish by carrying him in a teacup to a nearby river. Italian illustrator Carozzi's U.S. picture-book debut is stunning, filled with simple text, stirring suspense, and frameworthy art. Rendered in graphite pencil on paper, the illustrations exhibit a classic, realistic style and make effective use of shadows and reflections, light and dark, and unusual perspectives. Depicted in a palette of grays and earth tones with blue accents, the characters are lifelike in both appearance and action. Carozzi's most effective technique, however, is his ability to pause the action at climactic points, forcing readers to wait (sometimes beyond a single page turn) before being reassured that all is well. The repetition of text ("It was a wild idea. It was a bold idea. It was a brave idea . . . Was it a good idea?") also adds to the drama, making this an ideal read-aloud, even for squirmy toddlers.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2021
This American picture-book debut from Italian illustrator Carozzi depicts an unlikely friendship between a goldfish and a mouse. They live in an elegant home of minimalist design in which the pets take precedence. When the household's cats become interested in the goldfish, living snugly inside its bowl, Mouse hatches a plan to trick them into sleep -- and then sneaks the fish into the local river via a teacup, thereby releasing its dear friend from harm. The illustrations do the heavy lifting in this sparely worded volume; at one point, we read only that "Mouse had an idea," as we watch the action unfold. The addition of "It was a wild idea," "It was a bold idea," and "It was a brave idea" is followed by "But was it a good idea?" This is repeated toward the book's close as we watch intrepid Mouse put the rescue plan into action. The imaginative ways in which Mouse and Fish "play" together at the book's opening are delightful (expect giggles), and the thrilling escape is perfectly paced. Carozzi's graphite illustrations feature a subdued palette; the use of silhouettes, particularly when the cats first appear, enhances the book's delicious sense of mischief. An entertaining game of cat and mouse. And one lucky fish.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)