This & That (review #2), written by Mem Fox, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Vincent H.
Summary: The book, “This & That” by Mem Fox, is a story about two mice, a parent mouse who tells its child various imaginative stories before bed. These stories take them through amazing, fantastical, and humorous adventures as they go through dark caves, bustling markets, and grand palaces. At the end of their adventures, they finally return to their beds and then the story ends as all bedtime stories should: with a goodnight kiss.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story contains many humorous and imaginative rhymes, repetition, and illustrations, perfect for helping children develop their imaginations and sequencing skills. The vocabulary of the book is simple and makes it easier for children who are starting to learn about literary concepts such as rhyming and repetition to understand. The book also makes for a great bedtime story itself as well. The rhythm along with the rhyming of the reading makes the book pleasant sounding to read aloud to children. Even without the stories that the mice travel through being fully fleshed out, the prompts and illustrations depicted are enough to stimulate one to imagine their own version of how the stories are supposed to be played out and can inspire and challenge children to imagine and come up with their own unique stories and explore the bounds of their minds. Overall, this book is a perfect way for stimulating the young, developing minds of children and for parents and children to connect and strengthen their bonds as the two mice do in the story.