The hugely admired author of "The Last Fine Time" preserves and makes new the sights, smells, sounds, and poetry of country living. Klinkenborg reveals the beauty of the American landscape, not from a scenic overlook, but through a screened-in porch or from the window of a pickup driving down an empty highway in the teeth of an approaching storm.

From picture-book genius John Burningham comes a whimsical new story about home, hope, and the convivial wisdom of children. Every night, a family — a mom, dad, boy, and girl — have supper and go to bed. But they’re not alone. Every night, after that family is asleep, a secret mouse family emerges to find food for their supper, and the mouse children start to play. Then one night it happens: the boy spots a mouse, and his father calls the mouse catcher. Concerned, the children write a note to the mice (“your lives are in danger”), and the mouse family flees to the backyard, where the boy and girl leave tiny swings and a trampoline they’ve made for the mice to play on. But as winter approaches and the children no longer see the mice frolicking outside in the evenings, they start to wonder. Where could the mice have gone?

Stanley loves to help, but sometimes he gets so excited he makes mistakes. While running errands for his mom—CRASH—Stanley bounces his ball right on top of Mouse’s house, smashing it to smithereens. Stanley wants to make up for what he’s done, but how? In Elisa Kleven’s expressive, detailed pictures, Stanley finds his inspiration all around him, from here and there, and this and that. Soon he is ready to surprise his friend with a new house, and what a wonderful place it is!

It is Christmas Eve, and Mr Mouse and his family return home after buying gifts. The children want to decorate the Christmas tree, but the parents say there isn't time.

A mouse enters the house. And there is utter chaos. Here is an action-packed adventure for little ones.

What makes a mouse house a home? With a problem to solve, an unexpected friendship, and a little mystery to unravel, Mouse House Tales offers twice the story of a picture book and all the warmth and charm of a modern classic. The book's two stories can be read all at once, or one at a time, making it a perfect fit for those who want a longer, "big kid" book but aren't yet ready for text-heavy chapter books. Whether read aloud or by an independent reader, kids will relate to the emotions and friendships that help Mouse turn her "sweet little house" into a warm and inviting home filled with fun, friends-and cheese!