The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, by Audrey and Don Wood

"Ohhh, how that Bear loves red, ripe strawberries!"

The little mouse will do anything to save his strawberry from the big, hungry bear.  The bear holds all the cards, but who is playing the fox's role? 

This is one of my top ten favorite picture books of all time.  There are those who say that picture book authors have it easy.  After all, they say, anyone can write a few lines for kids.  Not so.  This picture book is carefully thought out, its rhythm, tone and devices laboriously tweeked.    Audrey and Don Wood are master word-crafters and their brilliance shines in this simply profound picture book. 

Each two-page spread shows off colorful illustrations and simple text.  The words and pictures complement each other--the text suggests actions that the illustrations show. 

This picture book is a pleasure to read, especially out loud.  The words are carefully orchestrated and the story flows off of my tongue.  Even though my children have heard the story countless times, they still open their eyes wide when the bear "boom, boom, boom"s and we salivate when we "eat it all up.  Yum."

Audrey and Don Wood continue to write books that combine the relatable every day objects in a child's world, with the imagination of what could happen.  If you haven't added this picture book to your collection, get ahold of it right away!

I gave this book 5/5 stars.

Purchase: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear (Child's Play Library)
Genre: childrens, picture book
Publisher: January 28th 1997 by Masters Press (first published 1984)
Hardcover, 32 pages
Where I got the book: My copy is well-loved. I own it but I don't remember where I purchased it.
Food to eat while reading: Shareable Grilled Cheese with Red Ripe Strawberry Jam