From Publishers Weekly
Walsh's (Mouse Paint; Mouse Count) mice characters here deliver a somewhat disjointed nature lesson. Spying a young oak tree, "detectives" Dot and Jabber set out to find the larger oak that produced the acorn that sprouted into the smaller tree. After a mole points them in the right direction, the duo wonders how the acorn traveled from the bigger tree to the location of the newer tree. ("Do you think it walked?" asks Jabber). Reaching the large oak, they discover their unexpected answer (they observe a squirrel making off with a newly fallen acorn and burying it in the ground). A concluding note explains alternative ways in which acorns travel from place to place (moved by water, birds or people). More distinctive than the narrative, Walsh's spare, cut-paper collage art has a three-dimensional look and gives these inquisitive mice an appealing, comical quality. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reS-Gr 1-Dot and Jabber, two mouse detectives, "need a mystery to solve," so they try to figure out how an acorn arrived at the spot where a little oak tree is growing as there are no other oak trees in sight. They approach their investigation with the calm intensity only older readers will connect with Dragnet. As they pursue the facts, they observe that oak trees grow from acorns, acorns from oak trees, there is a large oak across the meadow, and squirrels transport and bury acorns. While the evidence is circumstantial, it is good enough for the furry twosome. They snack on extra acorns and look forward to the next mystery. The variety and texture of the materials used in the earth-tone illustrations are superb. The eight-inch square size is large enough to share with a tidy group while quite manageable for small hands. Walsh has some sturdy laurels to rest on after Mouse Paint (1989), Mouse Count (1991), and Mouse Magic (2000, all Harcourt), but these mouse detectives can stand on their own. Scientific tidbits are included on the last page to enlighten the curious. Gentle enough for pre-nap or bedtime but engaging enough for any time, this well-written, visually pleasing picture book is a good choice for all collections.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
