Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! (If You Give...)

PreS-Gr 1—Numeroff's Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! (HarperCollins, 2009) is revitalized with this all-new, large-format board book edition. A spin-off from Numeroff's popular "If You Give..." series, this title follows Mouse as he makes valentines for all of his friends. Each valentine is made to represent what he loves most about each of his friends, such as Pig "because she's a good dancer" and Bunny "because she's the best at hide-and-seek." At the end, Mouse's friends surprise him at home to wish him a happy Valentine's Day, all with cookies in hand. While the original, with its small size, is excellent for tiny hands and one-on-one sharing, this larger edition is perfectly designed for sharing with groups during a Valentine's Day-themed story hour. The simple text, endearing characters, and sweet, uncomplicated depiction of a well-known holiday also make this an apt choice for a read-aloud. Bond's recognizable illustrations are warm and charming, and much attention is given to ensure that the details of the valentines Mouse makes match both Numeroff's text and the images depicting each of Mouse's friends. VERDICT The new, enlarged format transforms a delightful Valentine's Day-themed board book into a fine edition to use for group sharing and is certain to be a surefire hit.—Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY