The Real Story

September 4, 2023
“How did it happen? And where are the cookies?” That’s what Cat demands of Mouse after spotting the broken pieces of what was evidently a once-full cookie jar. “Those are good questions,” Mouse responds and, barely missing a beat, spins out a touching story of baked-good liberation, depicted in pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations: the freedom-seeking cookies tipped the jar over and are now gamboling free and happy through an idyllic countryside. “Honestly,” Mouse adds with no small amount of chutzpah, “we should be happy for them.” Cat insists that this isn’t “the real story,” so Mouse offers up three more seemingly reality-challenged versions—one starring a slimy green monster, one an alien named Georgette, and the last an insect with a multitude of cookie-loving cousins—before admitting to being the perpetrator. But instead of feeling vindicated, Cat realizes that the truth is awfully boring. Would Mouse come up with another story? Ruzzier (NO! Said Custard the Squirrel) gives readers a laugh-out-loud punchline and also hits on something profound and deeply human in this book about a craving for a good tale. Ages 3–6. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary.

October 1, 2023

K-Gr 2-Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? And how did it end up broken? Ruzzier uses this simple premise to spin off into humorous flights of fancy-perhaps the cookies themselves ran away to freedom, or maybe an alien used them to power its spaceship-that emphasize the power of storytelling and imagination. The book is structured around a conversation between Cat and Mouse, with Cat pushing Mouse for the "real story" while Mouse lets its imagination run wild. When what actually happened proves to be boring in comparison, Cat and Mouse return happily to the world of fiction. Ruzzier's pen, ink and watercolor illustrations pair well with the story, with funny and strange creatures populating a relatively minimalist background. While some caregivers could quibble with Mouse's reluctance to tell the truth, most will probably recognize their own child in the story. VERDICT A first purchase for most collections, this book will prove popular at story time.-Kadie Seitz

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2023
A whodunit where the "who" and the "dunit" are the least interesting parts of the story. Cat has just walked in to discover a cookie jar shattered on the floor, the cookies nowhere to be seen. When asked to explain what happened, cheeky Mouse is more than happy to oblige. Mouse tells a story of how the cookies, tired of being cooped up, destroyed their own jar and are now wandering the countryside, free. "Honestly we should be happy for them." When Cat doesn't buy it, Mouse follows up the tale with one about a slimy monster, then one about an alien named Georgette, then one about a bug with multiple hungry relatives. Cat screams for Mouse to just tell the real story, so Mouse does. "I stole and ate all the cookies, and then the jar fell and broke. The end." Morality isn't in question here. In fact, it's only at this point that Cat realizes how dull the truth can be. Ultimately, Cat asks for another cookie story, which Mouse provides...for a cookie. Brimming with marvelous read-aloud potential (frustrated characters make for fantastic vocal oscillations), Ruzzier's latest provides plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, many stemming from Cat and Mouse's odd-couple relationship. The text is simple enough for younger readers, while the surreal watercolors are the perfect complement to Mouse's out-of-this-world imaginings. A superb celebration of storytelling when the truth proves insufficient. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 20, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 When Cat sees that his cookie jar is broken and missing its cookies, he wants an explanation. Mouse says the cookies broke their own jar to escape and are now gallivanting around the countryside. Cat doesn't believe it, so Mouse tries again, and again: a slimy monster, an alien named Georgette with a cookie-fueled spaceship, a parade of bug cousins, and more. Livid, Cat demands the real story. But the real story (Mouse ate them) is boring, so they go back to playing pretend. Using his trademark artistic style (muted, pastel watercolors in a cotton-candy-and-lime-sorbet palette; stark backdrops; anthropomorphic, pen-and-ink animals), Ruzzier provides yet another short and sweet tale with simple language and a thoroughly enjoyable plot. It's imaginative, creative, and easy to follow. Emerging and beginning readers will appreciate the sparse text, ample context clues in the artwork, and the visible emotions of the two main characters, while librarians and caregivers will welcome the positive moral messaging about things like sharing, friendship, and truth-telling.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
Cat finds an empty cookie jar smashed on the floor and demands an explanation from Mouse, who just happens to be reading a book next to a plate with a sprinkling of suspicious crumbs. "The cookies were tired of being closed inside," Mouse explains, so the cookies broke the jar and ran away. "Finally free, they are now running around the countryside having a good time." When Cat insists on the real story, Mouse blames a slimy monster. Then an alien who needed cookies for her cookie-fueled spaceship. Then dozens of hungry bugs. The illustrations move between the grim reality of the cookieless present and Mouse's inventions. The loose lines and fluid pastel watercolors feel lived in, but they also have a dreamy quality that suits Mouse's storytelling. Cat's expressions are hilarious throughout an emotional journey from agitation to exasperation, and one can't help thinking that Cat and Mouse have had many conversations like this over the years. When Cat finally gets the real story, it's a letdown, so: "Can you tell me another cookie story?" This will be an enjoyable read-aloud for lap-sits and storytimes, and it would be an ideal springboard to encourage children to write and illustrate their own tall tales. Adrienne L. Pettinelli

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2024
Cat finds an empty cookie jar smashed on the floor and demands an explanation from Mouse, who just happens to be reading a book next to a plate with a sprinkling of suspicious crumbs. "The cookies were tired of being closed inside," Mouse explains, so the cookies broke the jar and ran away. "Finally free, they are now running around the countryside having a good time." When Cat insists on the real story, Mouse blames a slimy monster. Then an alien who needed cookies for her cookie-fueled spaceship. Then dozens of hungry bugs. The illustrations move between the grim reality of the cookie-less present and Mouse's inventions. The loose lines and fluid pastel watercolors feel lived in, but they also have a dreamy quality that suits Mouse's storytelling. Cat's expressions are hilarious throughout an emotional journey from agitation to exasperation, and one can't help thinking that Cat and Mouse have had many conversations like this over the years. When Cat finally gets the real story, it's a letdown, so: "Can you tell me another cookie story?" This will be an enjoyable read-aloud for lap-sits and storytimes, and it would be an ideal springboard to encourage children to write and illustrate their own tall tales.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)