Ten Mice for Tet! - Hardcover

Weill, who worked for an international relief organization in Vietnam, Shea and Trang use a counting-book format to introduce readers to Tet-the Vietnamese new year"-as big a celebration as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas combined!" according to the helpful and extensive endnotes. The book serves as a marvelous showcase for Viet Dinh's embroidery; Trang's clean compositions provide the template for the embroidery. The story follows ever-growing groups of mice in a traditional Vietnamese village as they prepare for and enjoy the Tet festivities. Some aspects of the pictures will strike a chord with readers regardless of their background-three mice clean their home, six mice open presents, 10 mice admire a fireworks display. But the book also emphasizes how a culture's beliefs shape the observance of a holiday. As "1 mouse plans a party," for instance, sinewy white-thread clouds of incense rise from an altar and waft through the room (the endnote explains that the fragrance and offerings are meant to beckon ancestors). Older readers will most appreciate the pictures' exquisite craftsmanship-every inch of every spread is covered in thread-but the cheery cartoon mice, the vivid Southeast Asian palette (the use of pink is particularly striking) and exuberant compositions will hold the interest of even the youngest readers. This attractive volume may well provoke a lively discussion of how another culture's holiday can seem both familiar and exotic. -Publishers Weekly starred review

Readers and pre-readers alike will get generous measures of cultural information from this look at preparations for the Vietnamese New Year celebration. After "1 Mouse plans a party," "2 Mice go to market," and so on, "10 Mice watch fireworks," before closing at last with a merry "Chuc Mung Nam Moi!" The illustrations, done in brightly hued embroidery so thick that it looks like brushed felt, feature stylized mice (they actually look more like whiskered pigs, but let it go) in traditional dress, happily cleaning, eating, exchanging gifts, playing musical instruments, and parading in a village setting. The authors enhance the minimal main text with extensive end notes, pointing out significant details while describing traditional foods, beliefs, and customs associated with Tet. Altogether, an inviting, informative introduction to the holiday - and the only separate title for younger readers that's not routine assignment fodder. -Kirkus Reviews starred review

This accessible counting book is a lovely introduction to the Vietnamese New Year...Remarkable, vividly colored, embroidered artwork enhances the text. The textural quality is still perceptible even though the pieces have been photographed, and readers are able to see the individual stitches in this fine workmanship...This multileveled approach allows this title to be used with children of a wide range of ages. An excellent addition to any collection. -School Library Journal starred review

Kindergarten-Grade 3-This accessible counting book is a lovely introduction to the Vietnamese New Year. Each spread features a short sentence ("1 mouse plans a party. 2 mice go to market") that is expanded upon by detailed pictures showing the preparations of thevillage. Remarkable, vividly colored, embroidered artwork enhances the text. The textural quality is still perceptible even though the pieces have been photographed, and readers are able to see the individual stitches in this fine workmanship. A thin black outline highlights the bright, flat figures whose faces have a cartoonlike look. Extensive endnotes following the number sequence take readers back through the book and allow for a more comprehensive explanation of the holiday. In this section, Vietnamese words are followed by the pronunciation in parentheses. This multileveled approach allows this title to be used with children of a wide range of ages. An excellent addition to any collection.
Tali Balas, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.