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The Very Noisy Night
by Diana Hendry, Jane Chapman (Illustrator)
(Check Catalog)

Synopsis

Little Mouse can't sleep because of all the noises in and around his cozy little house: tap-tapping on the window, drip-dripping inside. Little Mouse would feel a lot safer tucked into Big Mouse's bed. But Big Mouse doesn't want wriggly Little Mouse taking all the covers. What's a mouse to do? This sweetly reassuring depiction of an all-too-familiar nighttime battle will enchant young readers, while parents will appreciate the witty text and detailed, expressive art.

"A reassuring story that may become a bedtime favorite." (Booklist)

"Hendry's engaging characters and sound effects make the book a lively read-aloud, while Chapman's bright illustrations are filled with cunning mousey details . . . A sprightly version of a familiar bedtime scenario." (Publishers Weekly)

From the Publisher

Little Mouse can't sleep because of all the noises in and around his cozy little house: tap-tapping on the window, drip-dripping inside. Little Mouse would feel a lot safer tucked into Big Mouse's bed. But Big Mouse doesn't want wriggly Little Mouse taking all the covers. What's a mouse to do? This sweetly reassuring depiction of an all-too-familiar nighttime battle will enchant young readers, while parents will appreciate the witty text and detailed, expressive art.

"A reassuring story that may become a bedtime favorite." (Booklist)

"Hendry's engaging characters and sound effects make the book a lively read-aloud, while Chapman's bright illustrations are filled with cunning mousey details . . . A sprightly version of a familiar bedtime scenario." (Publishers Weekly)

Publishers Weekly

British partners Hendry (Dog Donovan) and Chapman (Dora's Eggs) present a sprightly version of a familiar bedtime scenario. When Little Mouse hears an ominous "huffing and puffing" outside the house, Big Mouse says that it's only the wind. Then Little Mouse imagines a ghost when he hears an owl, and he envisions a burglar when a branch taps on the window. Each time Little Mouse begs to come into Big Mouse's bed, but Big Mouse dreads the little one's wriggles and cold feet. He finally relents when Little Mouse simply admits, "I'm lonely." Hendry's engaging characters and sound effects make the book a lively read-aloud, while Chapman's bright illustrations are filled with cunning mousey details. A birthday candle atop a wooden spool serves as Little Mouse's bedside table, and his headboard is a playing card; Big Mouse pins a paper clip to his own nose to stop his snoring. From the cheery patchwork endpapers to the familiar expressions on Little Mouse's face, children will respond to the quiet comfort offered by this story of a very noisy night. Ages 3-7. (Nov.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Huffing and puffing in the night, mysterious tapping, someone calling, "Hoo-Hoo." What can it be? Little Mouse is frantic to get into bed with Big Mouse, who is equally determined to avoid sharing the covers. Jane Chapman's tiny mouse is incessantly in motion, perfectly evoking the wriggly energy of a small creature, mouse or human. After a night of resistance, Big Mouse, of course, relents and the two of them fall fast asleep in the bigger bed. Diana Hendry's lively text captures the anxiety of the little mouse and the patience of the big one. The pictures are bright and busy, full of details from the patchwork quilt right to the matching endpapers. Young listeners will enjoy hearing this book read, but it's especially good for one-on-one sharing, so the child can look closely at all the ingenious furnishings of the mouse house—a playing card for a headboard, spools for tables, postage stamps for hinges. Experiencing the noisy night should be fun not only for youngsters who have trouble sleeping alone, but also for all who relish the comfort and reassurance the little mouse finds. 2001, Puffin, $15.99 and $5.99. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer:Barbara L. Talcroft

Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Little Mouse can't sleep. To his fertile imagination, the branch tapping sounds like a burglar on the roof, the owl hooting sounds like a ghost, and the dripping faucet like rain inside. Big Mouse patiently, albeit gruffly, explains the true, nonscary nature of each disturbance. Each time Little Mouse asks "Can I come into your bed?" Big Mouse, who is not eager to be joined by a wriggling, cold-pawed Little Mouse, says "No." Finally, Big Mouse responds, "Better come into my bed." This comforting story is accompanied by brightly colored illustrations with endearing mice characters. Enchanting details depict the mouse home: a playing-card headboard, spool-of-thread table, and matchbox dresser drawers with button handles. The predictable text with its funny noises and repetitive refrain is excellent for reading aloud. Pair this with Martin Waddell's Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (Candlewick, 1992) or Bethany Roberts's A Mouse Told His Mother (Little, Brown, 1997) at pajama storytime programs.-Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.