Amazon.com (ISBN 0152165606, Paperback)

"In a dark, dark wood there is a dark, dark house..." So begins this tongue-in-cheek rodent tale of intrigue. Four brave and curious mice follow the trail of a big, scary beast, down the dark red stair, into the dark blue cellar, inside the dark green bottle in the dark purple cupboard. Young readers will squeal in delighted fright when the yellow-eyed monster ("A BEAST!") flies out and across the cellar, up the stairs, out of the house, and into the night. The perpetually rhyming, color-obsessed mice follow in hot pursuit. But is the beast really as horrible as it seems?

Two of the best-loved creators of children's books have collaborated on this utterly charming picture book. Using repetition, color progression, and rhymes, Bill Martin, Jr. (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) and Steven Kellogg (A-Hunting We Will Go!) conjure up a story that will beguile any small reader in search of a thrill. Comical, cartoonish illustrations depict shadowy figures and deep, rich colors, leading up to the spooky surprise ending. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter