Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse!

This book is MAGICAL. A kid's story that's not all cutesy and silly--who ever heard of a story about a mouse architect who builds houses for the other animals? But the ILLUSTRATIONS!!! The detail! We had so much fun when our two kids were little in the 80's, pointing out all the things inside the houses--Mr. Fox is into martial arts and has very realistic weapons on one wall!!!--How many times have we moved since the 80's? Books just shoved into boxes to be uncrated at the new place--it was just an odd sized, skinny kid's book and somewhere along the way it was given away or lost. 15 years ago we started looking around for it for our youngest granddaughter and were horrified at the cost! Who knew we'd had a classic??? This book SO needs to be re-issued--and in its Original Form! (no "updated" versions!) We should form a CLUB!

Please, someone in the publishing business . . . check out the reviews here . . . and think about reissuing this book. My friend and I loved this book and it also became a victim of being loaned or lost. (She blames me, I blame her . . . it's ugly!) Everywhere I've looked for old copies, this little book runs $150-350. My friend also went to UC Berkeley, and became an architect and this book played a key role in her later interest.

Well I can say enough good things about this book, It has been my favorite for as long as I can remember, it as the first present I ever gave to my best friend Kristin, I think it was her 3rd or 4th birthday. Now one of my close friends has become a teacher and I would love for her to share the joy of this wonderful book in her classroom! I am trying Ginny!

I still have this book tucked away for potential grandchildren. My daughter and I not only enjoyed the intricate detail of each animal's home, but we also loved the poetry of the words, which I still recall. "Owl, night's glider under moon's eye.." or "See what Piggy money will buy?" This book should be reprinted. Why has it not been? Where is George Mendoza? I would buy 10 copies if I ever found them, to save for gifts to friends' children.

A friend gave this to my daughter about 14 years ago. I have fond memories of she and I spending lots of time looking at the minute details of each of the animal's homes and thoroughly enjoying the illustrator's vision of how each dwelling would have actually looked based on Ms. Mouse's plans. We seemed to discover new items in certain houses that we overlooked in previous readings. Unfortunately, I loaned it to someone with kids who has never returned it - can't remember who it was. I'd really like to find two copies of this book - one to share with my grandchildren (hopefully, not until my 19-year old finishes college!) and for a friend's daughter who is in her freshman year studying at UofC Berkely to be an architect. It's a great book to read and visually explore with your child(ren) cuddled up in a corner somewheres.

As the first book I ever owned it still may be the one that has inspired me the most. What more could anyone want other than the story of a mouse architecht building elaborate and personal houses for her forest friends. Frank Lloyd Wright would be proud. The pictures alone can keep you entertained for a day, especially if you're 8 years old and home from school.