Can I Come Too?

It’s not only very small mouse that wants to find the biggest creature in the world: frog, kingfisher, cat, badger, dog, goat and tiger are all eager to go along when they are told of mouse’s quest. Polar bear actually knows where to find this particular creature and so accompanies the others to the ocean. Excitement builds as leaping dolphins and circling gulls surround the animal that lifts its gigantic whale’s body towards the setting sun before plunging back into the waves.

Satisfaction reigns as the sleepy animals head homewards and mouse contemplates its ‘very big adventure’ curled up in its tiny grass ball nest.

Bayley’s closely observed and meticulously executed paintings, whether of feather or fur, flags or foxgloves, are so powerful that they could easily overwhelm many a text but Brian Patten’s poetic tale holds its own: a real pleasure to read aloud, it resonates as one continues to contemplate the visual images.