Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn 503 pages. (tTis volume contains three complete tales).
This is a whimsical account of a kindly mouse couple who begin to secretly care for the unfortunate motherless children living beyond their cozy cupboard in a ramshackle cottage. This first novel actually is three books in one. In each, outside forces -- a selfish and mouse phobic aunt, a squeamish schoolteacher and pirating pond rats -- threaten the children's well-being. It takes this clever couple, a heroic mouse general, a ballerina army and caged gerbils to save the children's wellfare and home. Children's lit has many well known mouse communities including Mrs. Frizby (O"Brien's Mrs. Frizby and the Rats of NIMH and Avi's Poppy series). Tumtum and Nutmeg are worthy newcomers.This gentle British story with black and white pen and ink illustrations could make a warm read aloud book.
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