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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.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and fifty-six

Happy winter everyone! In celebration of the beginning of the official winter season, I have a picture book for you that I think you will enjoy. The stars of the book are seven little mice who are eager to try ice fishing, a winter pastime that I must confess I have yet to try.

Haruo Yamashita
Illustrated by Kazuo Iwamura
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
NorthSouth, 2011, 978-0-7358-4048-5
   It is wintertime, and the seven little mice are going down to the lake to skate. With their skate blades gliding, slipping, and sliding, they race out into the middle of the lake, where they find Little Weasel and his father cutting a hole in the ice. The seven little mice watch as Little Weasel drops his fishing line into the water and as he catches several fish.
   That evening the little mice try to persuade their parents to take them ice fishing the next day. Unfortunately, their father has to work and their mother is “afraid of slipping on the ice.” How frustrating!
   The seven little mice are not willing to give up quite yet, and with their father’s help, they begin to hatch a plan. Somehow, they have to get their mother out onto the ice the following day so that they can all go ice fishing.
   In this charming seasonal picture book, Haruo Yamashita’s story is perfectly paired with Kazuo Iwamura’s appealing illustrations to give young children a warming winter adventure. Readers who enjoy this book might also like to read Seven Little Mice go to School.

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