Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Publication date: October 2011
Pages: 256
Source: Library
For: Cybils
Skilley, an unusual alley cat, manages to secure his place as mouser in the Cheshire Cheese, an inn famous for - what else - its delicious cheese. When he meets Pip, an equally unusual mouse, and one who discovers Skilley's darkest secret, they form an odd friendship that will be tested in more ways than either can imagine.
Things I Liked:
What a fun and clever book! I loved the Dickensian feel of the story, especially how Dickens and other historical figures of the time were woven into this sweet little tale of friendship and loyalty. All of us on the Cybils panel were pleasantly surprised to find that, not only was this a delightful animal tale, but it had a depth and character that made it stand apart from the pack. And I truly loved the illustrations - they went just perfectly with the text and feeling of the story. It's just perfect for lovers of Dickens or animal tales or just plain Old English fun!
Things I Didn't Like:
I wondered if kids would enjoy it quite as much as adults, especially since it has lots of references to Dickens: War and Peace, Great Expectations, etc. I think it might not be as fun for them if they aren't familiar with his stuff. But, as was mentioned in the blurb from our panel, the hope is that they will remember this fun book when they get older and appreciate it more as they become more familiar with Dickens. It certainly isn't necessary to be a Dickens fan to love this book, though! So happy that it took home a Cybils prize.
Read-alikes:
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
Perfect timing for Dickens' 200th birthday! What's your favorite Dickens-related book?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
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