"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop," the great philosopher Confucius once stated. I would like to think that this applies to the bravery of a little brown mouse in author Brian Patten's beautifully exquisite tale, Can I Come Too? A small mouse decides to leave the comforts of her cozy home in the woods in order to set out to discover who exactly is the biggest creature in the world.
Along her brave journey through valleys, lakes, rivers and mountainsides, she meets a series of animals, always asking them the very same question, "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" And, although she receives the same answer, from each animal, everyone that she meets along the way take her words to heart, when she says, that just because one may be small, or because your legs may be too short, or you may be too scruffy, doesn't mean that "we can't have a big adventure." Each animal decides to join her along her trek, as she tries to fulfill her quest.
Patten's story line is extremely well-written, with the simple moral that despite your size and stature, one should never let this impede you from trying to achieve your goals in life. It is a lesson that I have not only instilled in my son, but with all of the children who come to our media center everyday. The illustrations by acclaimed artist Nicola Bayley are stunningly realistic. Between the colorfully vivid facial details on each of the animals that mouse encounters on her journey, and this truly lovely tale, I have no doubt that this tale will be read at many bedtimes multiple times.
Can I Come Too?
Written by Brian Patten & Illustrated by Nicola Bayley
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (October 1994)
Website: www.peachtree-online.com
ISBN: 978-1-56145-796-0
Retails for $16.95 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 to 8
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