The Bookstore Mouse by Peggy Christian

Genre: Fantasy, Youth
Length: 134 pages

Reviewed by: Jackie Hugh

“ ‘A giant!’ Sigfried cried.

‘Jargon the giant, you nimenog. You certainly are given to perspicuous deductions.’

I stopped reading. Even a master of the dictionary like me can find some words just too dense to get past. I was hopelessly bogged down in ‘perspicuous deductions’. I could feel myself slipping out of the story; I couldn’t see the giant or forest or even Sigfried, just those two BIG WORDS.”

Peggy Christian’s book, The Bookstore Mouse, was one of the most charming books I have ever read. Peggy Christian’s writing style is original and very amusing. The story starts out with the tale of a mouse named Cervantes who lives in a bookstore. His greatest joys are throwing barbed words at the cat and eating scrumptious words from his cookbook. One day Cervantes wanders a bit too far out of his hole and is pushed into the greatest adventure of his life. A book. After opening a mysterious book, Cervantes finds himself in a world of knights, dragons, lost stories and very long words.

Christian’s writing style is unlike any I have ever seen. When writing words like ‘anger’ and ‘fear’, she uses a sharp-ridged font. When using large words, she changes her font accordingly. This very original approach is partly why I enjoyed the book so much. Her characters are endearing and funny, with dialogue that is unique and fun to read.

Aside from various name-calling such as ‘nimenog’ and ‘Aglefruter’, this book has nothing objectionable in it. Peggy Christian’s characters regularly have to make a choice about whether or not they will stand and keep reading (however harrowing the tale might be) or close the book and walk away. Themes of loyalty, trust and bravery are woven in and around the lives of Cervantes and his friend Sigfried.

All in all this book was engrossing, cute and really made you think about the meaning behind the words you say. Though geared for younger readers, I believe that all ages will enjoy this book of boys in armor, lost stories and words that really mean something.