Book Thoughts: Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole (Yee)

• 4 simple stories about 2 neighbors
• modern imitation of Lobel’s Frog and Toad series
• upbeat and positive but disjointed text
• convo: they do a rain dance, they remove all their clothes to go swimming (one is female, one is male)

Type: longer picture book
Ages: 4-8
Author: Wong Herbert Yee

The four stories are:

1. Clean and Tidy
2. The Invitations
3. Kind, Good Neighbors
4. The Boat

Before reading this the first time, I was aware it was supposed to be like Frog and Toad. Indeed it was–in a way–but, honestly, a subpar attempt. The scenes changed too abruptly, and the dialogue was sometimes strange. The idea is cute, with a mouse and mole living in such a cozy setting near each other, and I’m not not recommending it. It just fell short for me. It’s very possible your child might fall in love with it!