Unexpected Guests
Mariajo Ilustrajo
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

This story is told from the viewpoint of a mouse, one of many that inhabit the house that a family of humans move in to. Said mouse calls a meeting and informs all the other mice about the arrival of ‘visitors’. No one knows what to do, though there are rumours about humans circulating thanks to Uncle Rupert’s stories, so the narrating mouse decides to investigate and is assisted by a few friends. What they discover are some interesting objects such as an electric toothbrush and a trainer boot, a whole lot of delicious edibles and a large box of ‘other stuff’. Having explored thoroughly the mice leave everything just as it was, so they say. Really?

The following day, eager to have one more sampling of the ‘yummy’ human food, off they go again. However, there’s a young human around and one of the mice ends up rather too close for comfort. This human then proceeds to get busy with a cardboard box and some bits and pieces. Meanwhile other members of the mouse family plan a rescue operation that seems to the narrator, to be dangerous

and they end up joining the one they were hoping to release from its confinement. Happily though, their captor turns out to be a human of the good sort. Have the mice come to mouse paradise? Maybe …. or maybe not!

With a clever twist in its tail, interactive elements (a gatefold and die-cut holes) this story will have young humans squeaking with delight at these rodent residents, their curiosity and its outcome.

Lion in a Hurry
Tiphanie Beeke
Graffeg

One afternoon when out exploring, Lion notices a sign about the Main Street parade to be held at 6pm. He’s particularly keen to go so he can see the Big Red Truck and as the jungle clock strikes four, off he sets through the jungle in his yellow jeep. Suddenly he hears a loud noise: cheetah has hurt his paw and needs a ride to the parade. Soon after Snake asks for a lift too and then so does Crocodile. By now Lion is somewhat agitated but still he stops to pick up Croc. When they reach the waterfall Elephant is struggling along on his achy legs. Somehow they manage to accommodate the pachyderm too, but then the wheels of the jeep get wedged in the rickety bridge just as five o’clock strikes.

So upset is Lion that his tears fall down towards the river just as Hippo approaches on his raft. Hippo is happy to help so Lion and friends board the raft. Then they hear a small voice calling, “Wait for me!” It’s Potto.

By now it seems that they can’t possibly reach their destination in time to see the Red Truck but nonetheless Lion’s friends tell him to keep going. Lion has a dilemma; should he stop for Potto or not? The jungle clock strikes six. Despite all Lion’s efforts, are they too late or will his kindness be rewarded?
Steamy, soft focus watercolours capture the animals’ anxiety throughout the journey until they finally reach their destination in this tale of good will and friendship. Young listeners will have their fingers crossed for Lion et al throughout the story.