Matthew's Dream

Four classic Leo Lionni mouse fables are collected in one handsome box set, just the right size for small hands. Lionni's familiar torn-paper collages with their gorgeous earthy colors will become immediate favorites for a whole new generation of readers. Caldecott Honor book Frederick , about a contemplative mouse who dreams away the summer while others harvest food for the winter, joins three lesser known but equally wonderful stories. Each features a protagonist who follows her or his heart, in spite of the scoffing and opposition of others. In Matthew's Dream , a mouse discovers his passion for art after a trip to a museum. Tillie in Tillie and the Wall fantasizes about what is on the other side of the wall alongside her meadow home, and eventually overcomes her community's resistance to venture forth and find out. Geraldine ( Geraldine the Music Mouse ) nibbles away at a hunk of cheese to create a sculpture of a flute-playing mouse, which then, magically, begins to play music. This splendid collection of quiet, thought-provoking tales is enjoyable on many levels, for readers of all ages. Lovely! (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter