The stars of Halloween Mice! are back, but this time they're celebrating a different holiday. Four lively mice scamper through a snowy landscape, delivering valentines to all the woodland creatures, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, badgers, beavers, and more. In their exuberance, the three older mice don't notice right off (although observant readers will) that they've left their young companion behind. They track him down and rejoice in a Valentine's reunion. Simple rhythmic text and action-packed line and watercolor illustrations will draw young readers in; Cushman includes welcome details--such as a tag-along chickadee--that enhance the story, and mixes full-bleed and framed illustrations to emphasize high points in the text. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1‘Four bustling mice deliver Valentine's Day cards to animals living in a snowy forest. The rhyming text is cheerful and moves along quickly: "More to deliver. Cross the pond./Slide. Glide. Slip! Flip!" The smallest mouse is temporarily buried in snow, causing the only moment of anxiety in the story. Will the others find him? Can they pull him out? Not to worry. This holiday devoted to love would not be complete without a group hug to make the cold little creature feel better. The bright watercolor cartoons add to the sense of fun. The pleased expressions of the creatures receiving the cards are charming. A curious note: the mice are dressed in winter clothes complete with hats and mittens, but the other animals have only their natural fur. A fun offering, though not a must-have.‘Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A group of mice meet with minor adventure while delivering valentines to the other woodland animals. Though similar in style in both text (brief and bouncy) and art (perky pen and watercolors) as Roberts and Cushman's earlier collaboration, 'Halloween Mice!', this volume's lack of even an inkling of plot makes it less successful. From HORN BOOK Fall 1998, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ages 3-5. Four mice head out to deliver valentines in the snowy forest. The three bigger mice are so busy tossing valentines to their animal friends that it takes a while for them to notice that the smallest mouse is missing. Readers know he has been in a mini-avalanche, and the mild tension in the book comes from the hunt for the missing mouse and the successful effort to dig him out. The slight story is bolstered by perky watercolor-and-ink pictures featuring a nice array of animals. Libraries are often in need of books for this popular holiday; this is an acceptable if not exciting choice. (Reviewed December 15, 1997)0395775183Ilene Cooper

decorated cards to woodland pals. Roberts's simple, somewhat choppy text introduces beginning readers to basic words and rhyming sounds as the four mice, bundled up against the cold, make their rounds: "One to the rabbit, two for the squirrels, three for the chipmunks. Zip! Nip!" After tossing the remaining Valentines into the air ("Shower valentines! THROW! THROW! THROW!"), three seemingly punchy mice make a sobering discovery: the fourth has disappeared. Cushman's motion-filled, festive watercolors humorously document the rescue of the missing mouse, who has become buried in snow. The artist realizes a welcome balance of the real and the whimsical, giving preschoolers the chance to identify various animal species while enjoying such lighthearted images as a moose with a Valentine tucked into its antlers. A spirited if slight holiday caper. Ages 3-6. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved