Following Grandfather

In a brief, tender story with quiet charm, Wells (On the Blue Comet) celebrates the bond between a mouse and her grandfather, while exploring a child's ability to cope with loss. Wells depicts an enticing society of anthropomorphic mice who live and cavort in tucked-away parts of human habitats. Jenny explains how her grandfather stowed away on a ship sailing from Italy to Boston and opened a restaurant in the attic of an Italian eatery, "featuring daily specials from the kitchen downstairs." After he retires, the loving mouse devotes his time to his granddaughter and encourages her to hold her head high despite her humble status and to embrace life: "Grandfather said hello to the world. I learned to say hello, too, in that way that made the world smile back." Jenny's connection to Grandfather after his deatha€"she repeatedly thinks she sees him, and perhaps finally doesa€"is poignantly conveyed through her ingenuous voice and Denise's (If I Could) filmy halftone illustrations. Avoiding overt sentimentality, Wells's reflections on love and memories are more pensive than somber. Ages 6a€"9. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator's agent: Elena Mechlin, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

K-Gr 3--A heartwarming tale of love and loss, privilege and class, set in bustling Boston. Jenny is a mouse who is looked after by her wise and worldly grandfather while her parents run the family restaurant. Summer days are spent at the beach where she savors the taste of clams lovingly prepared by her grandfather with "a little olive oil and a dab of fresh mozzarella." It is during these visits that she learns that life is not necessarily better for those privileged with expensive possessions. Grandfather imparts this knowledge to his granddaughter by traveling through the diverse neighborhoods of the city, introducing her to the many ways that mice make a living and treating all whom they encounter with respect and dignity. One day, Jenny's world of comfort and adventure is shattered when Grandfather passes away. Unable to absorb the loss, she thinks she sees him all around town. She finds peace when she receives a special message from him in the sand and shells of their beloved beach. Beautifully written text and endearing gray-scale illustrations transport readers and add to the poignancy of the tale. The message that all people are worthy of respect is artfully delivered and the manner in which Jenny mourns her grandfather's death will evoke empathy from young readers who have suffered a similar loss. A must-have for most collections.--Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE