Supermouse and the Volcano of Doom

Praise

True to his calling, Supermouse is prepared to save the world, but he might need help with the Volcano of Doom.

Supermouse is swamped with day-to-day rescues in the city of Mouseopolis, so when a nearby volcano threatens to erupt, he holds auditions for the League of Remarkable Rodents. “But were these rodents all that remarkable?” It turns out that Inflato-Girl, Daring Digger, and Speed Eater have just the right combination of skills to help Supermouse save Mouseopolis when a “molten mass of melted cheese…ooze[es] toward the city.” Brightly colored illustrations packed with fun details are worth poring over, especially since some of the book’s flaps easily blend into the larger illustrations. These sturdy flaps, which will likely withstand multiple readings, often create multipage booklets, some with cutouts, some that creatively extend the page beyond the book’s edges—all are critical to the storytelling. Wordplay shines. There’s alliteration aplenty, from the names of the main characters—Peter Parmesan (Supermouse’s true identity) and villains Mischief McMouse and Sally the Sly—to descriptions like “treacherous tumbles” and “perilous pitfalls” as well as delightful tongue-twisting strings such as “He fought fearlessly to fend off the flow of the fiery fondue.” Both adults and children will giggle at the puns—workplace signs (“BRIE SAFE BRIE SEEN,” “DANGER HAZARDOUS TASTE”), a classified ad for “Rock band FLEETWOOD MAC ’n’ CHEESE”—and spectator comments like “We’re all fondoomed!” There is also a smattering of onomatopoeia for storytime fun.

A creatively told story sure to tickle readers. (Picture book. 4-8) –Kirkus Reviews