Montigue on the High Seas (Picture Puffins) - Softcover

PreSchool-Grade 2 A clever, original tale introducing a mole by the name of Montigue who is flooded out of his well-furnished underground home. With water everywhere, he soon finds himself swept out to sea, where he narrowly escapes being the dinner of giant whales and hungry fish. Fortunately, he ``lands'' on the deck of a ship and encounters a band of shipbound mice constantly pursued by a lively tabby. Quite by mistake, Montigue and the mice discover a way off of the ship and sail to an island where the mice and Montigue make their warm homes in the sand and furnish them with items from the ship and things found on the beach. The story is illustrated with humorous cartoon depictions of Montigue and his mice band done in watercolors outlined in black pen. Illustrations are creative, showing sea shells used for chairs and a bed and the mice's ships made of bottles, pencils, playing cards, cooking utensils, and bits of fabric. Children listening to this fast-paced story will cheer for the poor mole, who finally finds a home after all his bad luck. Carol McMichael, Greenfield Public Library, Ind.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Montigue is a contented mole, until the day a heavy rain floods his underground home. Needing a place to weather the storm, he climbs into a dry-looking hole. But that hole is really a green bottle; by morning Montigue has been swept out to sea. His adventures place him aboard a ship, where all the mice fear Barnacles the cat. With Montigue's help, they sail for unknown parts in a whole fleet of bottles, and wind up on a peaceful island. Himmelman, creator of the characters Amanda the witch and Snuggle Piggy, creates a genuine hero in Montigue, who never goes in search of excitement; instead, adventure finds him. Working in sea-colored blues and greens and sunset oranges and golds, the author/artist offers an amiable story about a mole unafraid to live by himself, but tickled pink by the circumstances that give him neighbors. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.