When I was a child, I had an incredibly vivid imagination. While putting my feet into slippers or shoes, I pretended that they were going into their homes. Sitting under the picnic table with a cloth thrown over it, was my make-shift fort, a haven where I would let my imagination take me to secret places. With lush emerald blades of grass as my cushion, I would become intoxicated by it's summery scent, my eyes occasionally catching a glimpse of an ant or a lady bug, would be the catalyst for my imagining that it lived in a grassy city of sorts, full of adventure.
Watching squirrels scampering up trees, I was certain that they retired to homes resplendent with acorn bowls used for eating, and that mouse holes were in reality, secret little hide-outs that contained miniature beds, pretty frocks and other treasures that made their houses cozy abodes that I was too large to crawl into and enjoy with them.
 |
| "Potato Forest" photo courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
As I "matured", I never lost that child-like sense of wonder, and still believe that faeries, gnomes, mice and other miniature creatures live in magical places.
There are few authors I have reached out to whose books I desperately wanted to review. Maggie Rudy's
I Wish I Had A Pet was one of them.
You never know what riches you will uncover when you read comments on blogs that you follow. I don't remember the exact chain of events, but I first discovered Maggie Rudy's blog:
MousesHouses through reading a comment left on a blog that I follow. Following the link, I was smitten:
 |
| "Reunion" photo courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
I was transported to a magical place from my childhood, where mice live, laugh and play with abandon. They are wearing adorable clothes, have amazing adventures, and frolic and thrive, just as I always
knew they did.
Maggie Rudy, also known as the Empress of Mouseland, has been making mice with felt for twenty years and has been living in Mouseland for so long that she is starting to grow whiskers.
 |
| "Ice skating" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
 |
| "Deluxe accommodations" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
Maggie's Mice are made out of felt, pipe cleaners, cotton, nylon thread and black glass beads. They are pieced, sewn and glued. Maggie uses
ALL that are made for her book illustrations.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
I have a veritable
pin-fest whenever I visit
Maggie's blog. I seem to never be able to visit her blog without pinning her images on a variety of my boards.
 |
| "Latkes" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
 |
| "Redhead" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
When I read her blog and found out that she had published a new book, my
inner stalker detective kicked in! I
HAD to know more about this gifted woman, and I desperately wanted a chance to review her book.
It is my honor to have been granted that opportunity!
Five-year-old-ME
was entranced by the digital photographs, which are scenes composed of objects in combination with handmade elements by Maggie Rudy.
 |
| Maggie Rudy photographing her mice! Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy |
I Wish I Had A Pet enables you to follow a young mouse as she searches for a pet that is
just right for her. It is a hard-cover, glorious picture book,
(an ebook edition is also available, but in my opinion this is one you will want to HOLD and treasure in your hands, the way a book SHOULD be read).
I Wish I Had A Pet is a feast for the eyes and imagination of children, and those who embrace their inner child, as I do, while sharing an important message.
I Wish I Had A Pet lovingly teaches children that while it is wonderful to
WANT a pet, there are a few factors that should be taken into consideration before deciding on the pet that they want.
Big or small,
scruffy or smooth,
frisky or quiet-
there are so many pets
to choose from!
Which pet is just right
for YOU?
Children will learn that pets come with responsibilities, such as,
"when your pet makes a mess, clean up after it....every time."
I Wish I Had A Pet touches on how not all pets like the same things, ie, some pets do not wish to be dressed, and some might not enjoy play dates. How could you NOT bring a pet into your home when your child learns that the pet will become a life-long friend,
"who is wishing for YOU!"
There is
SO MUCH TO SEE in the images in this book. The mice have "pets" of their own, lady bugs, caterpillars, etc. One of my favorite images in the book features two mice pushing baby strollers which were crafted out of walnut shells, tucked lovingly into the shells are none other than what I believe to be
LOBSTERS!
I Wish I Had A Pet would be a gift that a child will cherish. It can be read as a bed-time story, for quiet time, in a children's reading group, as well as a classroom setting. The topic of what should be taken into consideration when deciding on a pet, and the detailed images, will plant seeds that will lead to
HOURS of discussion!
Often, when I review a children's book I pass the book on to one of a number of children I am fortunate to know in my life. Not the case with this book. I am going to be selfish and keep it. I will keep it in my office where it will be an important reminder of the imagination that brought me so much joy as a child. I will share the book with little ones who might happen to visit, but ultimately, this one is going to be mine,
delightfully mine. I will share it when I feel like taking a much-needed respite into the joys of child-like wonder,
and I will continue to be awed by Maggie Rudy's talent, whenever I take that journey.
Beach Lane Books
Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4424-5332-6
Available wherever books are sold
MAGGIE RUDY is often spotted in Portland, Oregon, where she has a studio. You can see more of her mice on her blog: MousesHouses, follow Maggie on Tumblr and Twitter.
GIVE-AWAY!!! I MAY NOT BE SHARING MY COPY OF I WISH I HAD A PET, (a $16.00 value), BUT MAGGIE RUDY HAS OFFERED A COPY FOR ONE OF MY READERS. IF YOU RESIDE IN THE U.S. YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN BY ENTERING ON THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW!! (My apologies to my International readers). GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
