The Mousery is a 2000 children's book by Charlotte Pomerantz, with illustrations by Kurt Cyrus. The book, about two mouse misers who open their doors to four youngsters, was published by the Harcourt/Gulliver imprint. Critics praised Cyrus' artwork, but were lukewarm over the rhymes and plot. It became a 2001 Christopher Award winner in the "Books for Young People" category.
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| Author | Charlotte Pomerantz |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Kurt Cyrus |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's fiction |
| Published | September 2000[1] |
| Publisher | Harcourt/Gulliver[2] |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 40[1] (unpaged)[2] |
| ISBN | 0-15-202304-6 |
Synopsis
editSliver and Slice, two bachelor mouse misers living in an abandoned car whose trunk doubles as a "mousery", are averse to the company of neighbors and visitors alike. One night, they have a change of heart after letting four young mice, looking for shelter during a winter storm, into their home. Soon after, when those guests (or "mousekins") break into a lullaby, the misers realize they once heard it from their grandmother and reminisce about their own youth. Eventually, they all welcome and invite others from nearby as Sliver and Slice rehabilitate their home.[1][2][3]
Release and reception
editAnnounced in February 2000,[4] The Mousery was published by Harcourt/Gulliver that September;[1] critical analysis was mixed to positive. Marlene Gawron of the School Library Journal offered commentary on the "realistic illustrations" and added that the "enjoyable story is beautifully executed".[2] The Horn Book and Kirkus Reviews opined that Kurt Cyrus' work rose above the "tedious rhyme",[5] "pedestrian text",[1] and "cutesy verses".[1] Publishers Weekly's staff shared similar sentiments, and commented prior to the title's publication: "[I]t is unclear what exactly motivates the change in the older mice: the mousekins' obvious need, their excellent behavior or the memories they evoke."[3] In early 2001, The Mousery was one of five winners in the "Books for Young People" category at the 52nd annual Christopher Awards.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Review: 'The Mousery'". Kirkus Reviews. No. 18. September 15, 2000. ISSN 1948-7428. ProQuest 917074583. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Gawron, Marlene (November 2000). "Review: 'The Mousery'". School Library Journal. Vol. 46, no. 11. p. 130. ISSN 0362-8930. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Roback, Diane; Brown, Jennifer M; Britton, Jason (July 31, 2000). "Review: 'The Mousery'". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 247, no. 31. p. 94. ISSN 0000-0019. ProQuest 197070798. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ Maughan, Shannon (February 14, 2000). "Sneak previews: Fall 2000 children's books: Harcourt/Gulliver" (PDF). Publishers Weekly. Vol. 247, no. 7. p. 160. ISSN 0000-0019. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "AES" (Spring 2001). "Preschool: 'The Mousery'" (PDF). The Horn Book. Vol. 12, no. 1. p. 22. ISSN 1044-405X. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Handy Topics in the Curriculum Department: Christopher Award (Books for Young People): 2001". UNK Library Research Guides. University of Nebraska at Kearney. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ "sljnews: Awards" (PDF). School Library Journal. Vol. 47, no. 4. April 2000. p. 126. ISSN 0362-8930. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via ProQuest.