Staff Picks Blog
Rand Burkert has created a new retelling of the famous Aesop fable, along with his mother, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, who contributed the exquisite artwork for this beautiful picture book set in Africa near the Botswana and Naminia borders. Here lions, field mice and baobab trees may be found together under the hot African sun. The author chose to give the tiny mouse the top billing rather than the king of the jungle, as he explains, “Mouse clearly performs the lion’s share of the work.” As the familiar tale unfolds, the meticulous illustrations in watercolor extend the fable in scene after naturalistic scene with soft colors that capture each eventful moment. A trip to Africa provided inspiration for the detailed artwork depicting the flora and fauna of the region. The artist’s use of perspective creates some stunning images and turning the heavy cream-colored pages is a joy to anyone who appreciated fine book design. This version of the mouse who saves a lion from the hunters’ net is a picture book that is perfect for storytime and lapsit with the 3-6 year-old crowd. The illustrator also created the artwork for her picture book of The Nightingale (1965) and Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs (1972) along with the original illustrations for Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach (1961). Welcome back to the world of children’s book illustration, Nancy Ekholm Burkert!
