Monday, October 11, 2010

Book Review: Mortimer's Christmas Manger

Mortimer's Christmas Manger. Karma Wilson. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Simon & Schuster. 40 pages.

In a big house lived a wee mouse named Mortimer. He dwelled in a dark hole under the stairs. Nobody ever noticed little Mortimer. And Mortimer liked it that way. But he didn't like his hole. "Too cold. Too cramped. Too creepy," squeaked Mortimer.
I liked Mortimer, for the most part. Have you ever noticed how mice make great bookish characters--especially in picture books?! Yet these "oh how cute" feelings don't translate to real life! Mortimer has a good life. Mostly. He gathers his crumbs and tidbits without notice. (Which is a good thing if you're a mouse!) But Mortimer does wish he had a better home, a better place to call his own.

One day Mortimer discovers the perfect new home. Unfortunately, it's occupied. By statues. There's even a baby statue in what would be a perfect bed for a mouse. So Mortimer claims his new home. But day after day he has to move the statues out of the way. Until he overhears the Christmas story. Then Mortimer realizes that there are more important things in life than a nice cozy bed, a nice cozy home. Maybe the manger scene isn't the best place for a mouse to be.

So does this mean Mortimer's forced back into his hole where it's too cold, cramped, and creepy? Read for yourself!

While I didn't love this one, I did enjoy it!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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