Books with title Richard Scarry's The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

To many children, and a few adults, the idea of more toys and endless treats and goodies seems like the ultimate existence. This spirited rendition of Aesop's classic fable illustrates that this is not always the case. When it comes to personal contentment, bigger does not always mean better. Missing his city cousin, Country Mouse invites him for a visit. However, from the moment he arrives, the flamboyant and arrogant City Mouse shows contempt for his less-privileged cousin by incessantly bragging about his home and good fortune. In fact, he won't even consider spending the night and convinces Country Mouse to return with him for a visit in the city. His cousin cheerfully accepts, but what follows illustrates the significance of a simpler, safer life.

The much loved 'once upon a time' entry makes Sigal's retelling of the fable a particular joy: 'Once upon a time, there were two cousin mice, Both family and friends, which is just as nice. A gray country mouse, cheery and kind. The best sort of mouse you can find. But his cousin mouse, plump and witty, Lived richly in the big house in the city.' And so the story introduces children to the disparity between the humble country mouse and his 'rich' city cousin, sharing each other's homes for a glance at how the other half lives - and both prefer their own status: 'Even great wealth cannot buy you bliss; one prefers that, the other wants this. Whether you're a person or a country mouse, we each like our own kind of house. You see, people and mice just don't get along, What good is your wealth if you do not belong?" The country mouse explained, "I'd rather be healthy, Better to be safe and sound than being wealthy."A fun story with a solid message beautifully illustrated - and Sigal Adler successfully adds to her repertoire of fine children's books. Grady Harp, June 20