Squeaky Cleaners in a Muddle; Squeaky Cleaners in a Hole

These are two perfectly serviceable, mildly amusing books about a family of three mice who run a sort of home help and cleaning service on the lines of Universal Aunts for other animals. In one they help out mole who is to give a party and needs his house cleaned fast and in the other they have to look after some baby birds. In the familiar format of straightforward, simple text interspersed with line drawings at frequent intervals, both books would be good for children just moving into chapter books.

However, I have to say that the publishers and Young Book Trust have really laid their head on the block by putting a big sticker on the front which proclaims, 'Learn to Love Reading! This book will (sic) encourage confidence and enjoyment in young readers.' Such ridiculous hubris deserves to be punished. I look forward to the first action against them under the trade descriptions act.