Daniel Kirk

Sam the mouse lived in a little hole in the wall behind the children's reference section, emerging every night to read and enjoy the library's many books. He enjoyed every kind of book, from reference to genre fiction, and eventually decided that he would write one of his own. His miniature autobiography proved quite a hit with the library's patrons, prompting Sam to write other books, each of which he left out for the library's visitors to peruse. When Mrs. Forrester, the Head Librarian, show more posted a note inviting him to an author visit, Sam was torn. Although he wanted to please his fans, he was (like most mice) very shy. Could he find a solution...?

The first of five picture-books featuring the adventures of this book-loving and writing mouse, Library Mouse pairs an engaging story with appealing illustrations. Sam is a lovable little hero, and his nighttime writing escapades will keep young listeners involved, as they wonder whether the little murine author's identity will ever be revealed to the human patrons of the library. In the end it isn't, at least here, so I will have to keep reading, to see if anyone ever discovers Sam's identity in subsequent titles. Daniel Kirk's artwork is colorful and immediate, with full-page spreads alternating with illustrations inset on the pages with text. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about the joys of the library, and the delights of being an author. show less

In this sweet tale of the ups and downs of playground friendship, a resentful sock monkey tells his puppy pal that they are no longer friends, after the puppy takes his ball. The sock monkey soon discovers, however, that it's difficult to replace his friend, and that playing by himself isn't much fun. Is it possible that he too was to blame, because he didn't share his ball...?

Author/illustrator Daniel Kirk spins a believable story about children and their social interactions in You Are Not show more My Friend, But I Miss You. Young listeners will undoubtedly recognize a bit of themselves in both the sock monkey and the puppy, and will be led to think about friendship, sharing and forgiveness. The artwork, done in pen and ink and then colored digitally, is cute and appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about the give and take required for friendship. show less

Daniel Kirk goes far afield from the original nursery rhyme in this weird retelling.

Humpty Dumpty is an outgoing little egg eager to climb higher and higher get the best view of the royal parade just beginning. The king, meanwhile, is a timid and anxious child who'd rather be home working a puzzle. And then they both get what they want.

The art is creepy, especially with Humpty's big round face. Kirk also sneaks faces from famous paintings and photos of random people into the crowd scenes, show more which felt like an unnecessary homage to Sgt. Pepper.

And I'm sorry, but if an egg is gonna fall, there has to be yolk. Where's the yolk? show less

Sam the library mouse returns in this third picture-book devoted to his adventures, this time meeting and befriending Sarah, another mouse who lives in the library, and who has a more active approach to exploring than Sam himself does. Although he enjoys the games of make believe that he and Sarah engage in, such as pretending to be ancient Egyptians, Sam's fear of heights at first prevents him from joining her in other expeditions. Fortunately, he is able to overcome his trepidation, and show more discover a world waiting to be explored...

Like its predecessors, Library Mouse and Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale, Library Mouse: A World to Explore pairs an engaging story with bright, colorful artwork. I thought it was an interesting choice, on author/illustrator Daniel Kirk's part, to contrast the exploration one can do through books and reading with that accomplished through play and "real" world activity, demonstrating in the end that both have their place. Recommended to fans of the eponymous Library Mouse and his many adventures, as well as to those looking for children's stories about overcoming one's fears, and getting out into the world to see what it has to offer. show less