A Firefly in a Fir Tree: A Carol for Mice [Library Binding]

Hilary Knight (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

When Hilary Knight discovered mice in his studio, he set about designing them a special outdoor home.

The mice had unique talents of their own. Maude, an expert needle-mouse, complemented Max's way with a hammer. Both shared a keen eye for found objects.

Mr. Knight's watercolor journal of this charming couple's enterprise, accompanied by Maude's daily notations, has become a joyous celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–In a newly illustrated version of a tale originally published in 1963 (HarperCollins; o.p.), two mice offer their own version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," giving one another 2 silver (straight) pins, 3 thistle dusters, and finally 12 bees a-buzzing. The illustrations, in Knight's usual goofy and endearing style, take the form of "family photos" tacked onto each page, each with its own caption. As the gifts accumulate, the tiny house (furnished in Borrower style with thimbles and funnels and such) gets more and more crowded. Kids will be pleased to note that every single one of the 78 gifts is visible in the very last illustration. Energetic fun.–E. M.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr.1. Partridge is to pear tree as firefly is to fir tree in Knight's sweet-as-a-candy cane spin on "The Twelve Days of Christmas," starring two true-love mice, Max and Maude, in the throes of holiday preparations and gift giving. First published in 1963, the illustrated "carol for mice" is here reissued with new, enlarged, full-color paintings, most presented as separate, titled visual vignettes pinned up on a bulletin board. The verses here echo the originals: five golden rings become five golden bells, six geese a-laying become six wrens a-nesting, but most, from crickets to "nine nuts for nibbling" reflect a natural, mouse-centric world. The book's charm lies in the contagious exuberance of Maude and Max and their inventive gifts, from two silver pins (to use as chopsticks) to "seven spiders spinning" spelling out the word "joy" in a web. In the end, every nook and cranny of the mouse house of found objects is happily humming with bees, tree frogs, and wrens, all having as much fun as the mice. A holiday treat. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060009926
• ISBN-13: 978-0060009922
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,336,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hilary Knight is the son of two accomplished artist-writers, Clayton Knight and Katherine Sturges. Hilary Knight came into his own enormous success by illustrating Kay Thompson's Eloise series, which has been a cultural touchstone for generations. He is the author-illustrator of nine children's books and the illustrator of more than 50 others. He has also produced many magazine illustrations, record album covers, and posters for Broadway musicals. Mr. Knight recently completed a mural in the turret room of the Plaza apartment of Dee and Tommy Hilfiger. He is now at work on Hilary Knight's Life in Pictures: An Illustrated Autobiography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificently Illustrated New Children's Book, October 7, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Firefly in a Fir Tree: A Carol for Mice (Library Binding)

Famed illustrator and author Hilary Knight was surprised when he found mice in his studio. However, to accomodate his new furry friends he began designing a special outdoor home for them. The two mice were quite unique. Maude, was an expert needle-mouse, who had quite an eye for design; and Max, a carpenter-mouse, had quite a way with a hammer. Both mice shared a very good eye for shiny objects that could be of use to them, and that's where Hilary Knight got the idea for this book.

I have been a fan of Hilary Knight since the first time I laid eyes on his illustrations for Kay Thompson's ELOISE series, so I just knew that I had to have this book. Mr. Knight's wonderful watercolor illustrations of two enterprising mice during the Christmas season, are utterly remarkable, and the adorable little daily notations by Maude the mouse couldn't be cuter. This is a must have book for the holiday season, especially for those who enjoy breathtaking illustrations, much like the ones found in this book.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

5.0 out of 5 stars a classic, December 13, 2010

By 

Gaby (Salt Lake City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Firefly in a Fir Tree: A Carol for Mice (Hardcover)

Reading this book has become a Christmas tradition for my girl and I. The illustrations are detailed and magical. The idea is heart-warming. The spirit of giving meaningfully rather than simply giving expensively is captured well. Lovely book and highly recommended.