Mouse Was Mad (by Linda Urban)

The story, as well as the watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations by Henry Cole, are cute and funny, filled with the kind of light-hearted playfulness that young kids especially enjoy. Kids will catch on quickly to the repetitive scenario, as the angry little mouse tries to hop like the kangaroo or stomp like the bear and so on, and they will be ready for a hearty laugh when the hopping and stomping lands the little mouse over and over in the "mucky mud puddle."

What his problem was, and whether the mouse actually solves his anger issue, or just gets past it, is unclear, but he does feel better in the end. His anger has dissolved as most anger does over time. The lesson, if there really is one, is a little obscure, but that hardly matters. All the animals, especially the angry little mouse, with their big eyes and expressive faces, are adorable. And how each solves his anger problem is part of the game, and makes for a fun and entertaining read that is sure to get a warm-hearted laugh.