Author: Eve Titus

Illustrated by Paul Galdone

ISBN:  0-375-83901-1

Initially published fifty years ago, Anatole, authored by Eve Titus and images contributed by Paul Galdone was a masterpiece and was the recipient of the Caldecott Honor award. Today, with this new publication, a new generation will be able to savour this adorable classic.

Anatole, a little French mouse is married to Doucette and the “couple” have six charming children Paul, Paulette, Claude, Claudette, Georges, and Georgette. Together with his friend Gaston, Anatole manages to provide for them by going out at night and bringing them leftovers from people's kitchens.

One night, Anatole becomes very insulted when he hears people complaining about how mice are filthy.  Doucette saves the day by suggesting “if only we could give people something in return…”

Anatole jumps at the idea and begins typing labels: “GOOD - NOT SO GOOD - SPECIALLYGOOD - ETC.” He then sticks a long pin through each sign and places them in his briefcase.

Sneaking up into the Cheese Tasting-Room of the Duval Cheese Factory, he tastes all the different cheeses and subsequently affixes his labels on each one.

Of course, “mice are known everywhere as the World's Best judges of cheeses”. Lucky, Anatole was not lactose intolerant! M'sieur Duval followed Anatole's advice and soon he becomes the best cheese producer in France.

Since Anatole chooses to be anonymous, M'sieur Duval writes him a letter wherein he names him his official “First Vice Presicent in Charge of Cheese Tasting.”

Unearthing just the appropriate French flavour with simple language, Titus invites adults to read her words with a French accent. Moreover, the story's characters are believable tending to take on an aura of human personalities.

In keeping with this French theme, Paul Galdone illustrates Anatole in Blue, White and Red- the colors of the French flag. His drawings of mice are in black ink creating a lifelike and sweet appearance.

His potency lies in the minute details as two mice greet one another with their hats or in the newspaper “SOURIS-MATIN” where the cat is Le grand bandit or when he puts his name on the bookstore (livres d'enfants).

It was a great idea to issue a new publication of this old classic so that we could savour it and enjoy it with our children and grand-children.

The above review was contributed by: Lily Azerad-Goldman, Artist: CLICK TO VIEW Lily Azerad-Goldman's Reviews