I like that these mouse stories all have very different plots and focus. This one comes right after Ragweed and before Poppy. It tells how Ragweed and Poppy met. Ragweed having left the city, was on his way towards the Dimwood Forest, just thinking he’d see what it was like. He was surprised to encounter a young raccoon that had gotten lost. Felt he had to help the creature, even though it was something of an annoying, needy pest. But endearing it its own way too. Impatient with the young raccoon’s constant questions and struggles to do the most basic things (like climb up a slope) he’s relieved to find the mother raccoon- who is not grateful to get her youngster back, thinking that Ragweed had kidnapped him. He escapes the raccoons and continues on his way, but then encounters another mouse- it’s Poppy, stuck in a trap. Ragweed thinks she’s rather dim-witted to have got herself trapped, but he tries to be helpful again. He can’t get the trap open so he goes to find Poppy’s numerous relatives- only surprised to discover that not many of them seem concerned or want to come help. He does gather a few volunteers and they return- only to find the trap gone! Well, a lot more happens- involving an old house, a little girl who wants a pet mouse, and Ragweed suddenly finding himself in tight quarters. Then a dog, the pair of raccoons and a fake snake (you’ll have to read the story) all converge in one place, terrifying all the mice but also discouraging the people from wanting to live there! It was quite funny actually. I could see that all these disparate characters were going to end up in some ultimate scene at the end of the book, but had no idea what would actually happen. It was very satisfying.
There’s a song the mice sing in this story, I think it was featured in some of the other books, too. This volume has the sheet music in the back but I’m terrible at sight-reading music so I couldn’t tell what the tune was like. Helpfully, there’s a little website that has a recording of the music! So I gave it a listen and it was quite charming.
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 8/4/24.
