Children’s Book Reviews: Mr Postmouse’s Rounds
Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds (originally published in French under the title La Tournée de Facteur Souris), by award-winning author and illustrator, Marianne Dubuc, is a treat for the eyes and the imagination. In this episodic picture book, a tiny mouse mail carrier loads his delivery wagon full of parcels and postcards, and sets off on his route. Readers follow the dedicated postal worker on his adventurous journey as he climbs high into the Alps to bring a basket of apples to the Mountain Goats, and dives to the bottom of the ocean to reach Mrs. Octopus’ sunken pirate ship abode. Mr. Postmouse stops for a barbecue lunch courtesy of his friend Mr. Dragon, nervously scurries past Mr. Snake’s long lair, and drops off a suspiciously fox-like package to the chicken coop. After a full day’s work, Mr. Postmouse arrives at his cheddar-cheese home to deliver his last package to Milo, his own birthday son.Readers will pore over Marianne Dubuc’s incredibly detailed cross-sections of all of the animal dwellings. There is a voyeuristic thrill at peeking at the interior design of Mr. Bear’s cozy bungalow, complete with a bee hive on the roof that transports a steady trickle of honey straight into a mason jar. At the Penguins’ place there are ice cube tables and chairs, and a snow maker that blows fresh flurries. The joys of home delivery couldn’t be more cleverly or clearly conveyed than in Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds.
Linda Ludke is a librarian at London Public Library. Her reviews have appeared in Quill and Quire, School Library Journal and CM: Canadian Review of Materials. When she’s not reading and writing she also loves searching for vintage treasures.
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