While first blush, Paper Mice looks like it will be AMAZING, it turns out to be only amazing (lower case). When talking to a coworker about it she mentioned that it is pretty. And that is exactly what I was trying to say to her when I was talking about it being cute. There is nothing wrong with this book, but it is not completely living up to how it starts out for my tastes. Yet, there is a pleasant enjoyment to this book that adds to the plethora of good stories.
Megan Wagner Lloyd has created a book that has both a classic feel and modern feel to the story. We see Ralph and Della snipped from the day they are created from paper and placed between the pages of different books to the night they start to explore their new surroundings. Ralph is a bit of a goof, a bit adventurous, gets himself into some trouble. Della is a mouse who is also a bit adventurous, a tad more careful and it is up to her to save Ralph from having a most unfortunately accident! Part imagination and part reality, this is a book that will be a treat to reread.
Phoebe Wahl’s illustrations are clever and help move the story along. These cut-paper illustrations display much detail that will keep you as engaged as the text itself. The two are a mixture that blends together perfectly. Reading the art is just as important as the text. Both author and illustrator have a treat for the readers eye.