Mouse & Mole: Boo to the Who
Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew
Graffeg

We’re back in the company of the delightful Mouse and Mole for three further episodes.
Here and There starts with Mouse announcing that he’s going for a walk. Mole decides to accompany him despite not knowing the destination. Before long they reach a kissing gate; Mouse is interested in how it works, Mole asks, “Are we there yet?” On they go till they get to a bridge. Mouse pauses to enjoy the water; Mole merely says, “But are we there yet?”
A grassy meadow,

a stile, a windmill, a cornfield with haystacks all offer brief stopping points but Mole still grumbles. Time to return home. Mouse tells his pal it was a very good walk. Mole remains troubled about the location of ‘there’. They consult the map and Mouse points out all their stopping places. A realisation dawns on Mole …

In Boo to the Who the two decide on a cosy night indoors but very soon Mole is troubled by a pair of staring eyes – they belong to the WHO that comes creeping in the night, he tells Mouse. According to hearsay it can squash the breath right out of you. After some discussion, they go out into the darkness to investigate, suitably disguised so as to ‘show this WHO who’s who.’ A strange encounter takes place that ends with pie sharing.

A Sad Moment sees Mole in a state of perplexity. Mouse gives him a bowl of his favourite pea soup to eat with his favourite spoon but instead of tucking in, Mole opens the door and goes outside in the cold, to heighten the pleasure of eating his soup, so he says. Starting to consume his soup, he tells Mouse that it’s the happiest moment in his life; but then he gives a loud sob of sadness. Mouse is somewhat confused. There follows a philosophical discussion, essentially on the topic of savouring the moment as Mole relishes his repast.

It’s all wonderfully droll with Mouse not batting an eyelid over his friend’s overthinking of so many things. James’ witty illustrations capture so well the quirkiness of the relationship between the friends.