The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat

PreS-K–A spread of treats on a festive Christmas table is inviting to more than just human guests. While a big cat sleeps nearby, a conglomeration of mice scrambles atop the table, discovering cookies, candy, and more treats they are anxious to try. Each delectable bite enhances the joy the mice feel, making it increasingly difficult to keep their actions a secret. When the mice accidentally make a noise that effectively alerts the slumbering cat to their presence, they must bravely face the inevitable. Young children will appreciate this clever and approachable holiday tale, thanks to the design of the pages and the delivery of the narrative. Onomatopoeia, engaging font sizes and colors, and a rhyming structure tell the story while brightly colored, detailed illustrations draw readers’ eyes with mouthwatering images of food that looks nearly good enough to eat. The playful design and the story’s enjoyable delivery make it well-suited to be read aloud in a preschool environment. While festive Christmas treats are the focus of the story, there are few overt references to the holiday, which gives the book a more general appeal.