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Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty-Seven

Today's book tells the story of a very intellectual mouse who does not know much about friendship. He knows that he wants a friend in his life, but he has a lot to learn about what it takes to be a good friend.

Louise Yates
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Random House UK, 2011, 978-0-224-08369-0
   Professor Frank Mouse is a very clever inventor. Working alone in his home in the shed, Frank makes and mends all kinds of things. One day Frank looks outside and he seems that many animals are making and mending things, just as he does. The difference is that they, unlike him, are not alone. They have friends and family members to help them.
   Poor Frank is too shy to try to find a friend of his own, so he does the next best thing. Frank sets about making a friend for himself, and soon – after much hard work – his friend, Teddy, is all ready.
   Frank is delighted with Teddy, though Teddy wishes he were more handy and more able to join Frank in his making and mending work. One day, when Frank is out, Teddy tries to “make something by himself” as a surprise for Frank. Poor Teddy is so clumsy that the only thing he is able to make is a mess. What will Frank think when he sees what Teddy has done?
   In this delightful picture book, we meet a very intelligent mouse who has a lot to learn about friends and friendship. Thankfully, he creates Teddy, who has a big heart, and who knows all about how to make friends.
   With warm and often sweetly funny illustrations, and charming characters, this picture book is a title that children will want to look at again and again.

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