Livingstone Mouse

New York: HarperCollinsPublishers, 1996. Presumed first edition/first printing. Trade paperback. Very good. Cole, Henry. 32 pages. Illustrations. Signed by author. Signed by author and illustrator. Pamela Duncan Edwards is a British born children's author who now lives in the US. She has published over forty picture books for children, both in America and Britain. Because of her teaching background, her books present early learning concepts and use many literary devices. In many of her stories, animals are the main characters. "I guess I'm almost unaware when I'm creating characters that I lean toward animals," says Pamela. "It just seems to happen. I live in the country and from my window I see animals playing all the time. In my yard I have squirrels, huge numbers of squabbling birds, a fox mom who regularly presents us with fox kits each year, and a sweet, fat groundhog who lives under our deck. They're part of my life and they've all managed, or will manage, to find their way into my books at some time or other." When the time comes for Livingstone Mouse to find a nest of his own, he wants it to be in the best place. I have heard that China is very nice, " his mom says. But where is China? Could it be in a noisy cupboard? A smelly old shoe? A picnic basket? Can a small mouse find China all by himself? Livingstone isn't sure, but he is determined to find out. Pamela Duncan Edwards' endearing story of a mouse with a mission is beautifully brought to life by Henry Cole's lively illustrations. Livingstone is a hero who will captivate and delight his audience.