Tomato Soup — Thatcher Hurd

It's planting time for Farmer Clem, and the irrepressible Baby Mouse (star of Hurd's Pea Patch Jig and Blackberry Ramble ) returns to create more delightful disturbances. When Mother Mouse asks the doctor to come check on Baby's cold, the diminutive creature--recalling the shot the doctor gave her when last they met--sneaks out of bed and hides in Farmer Clem's package of seeds. Merry mayhem ensues as George, the farmer's cat, makes off with the package and gives chase to Baby Mouse, who gets back into bed just in time to be served tomato soup by her parents. But the spunky mouse's adventures are not over: she has another comical encounter with George, who inspires her to find an ingenious way to dispose of the dreadful medicine the doctor has dispensed. Equally animated, Hurd's prose and pictures present Baby Mouse at her best. Ages 4-8. (May)