Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, Motor Mouse, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Janna Mattia is an illustrator from California who loves the natural world. With a touch of nostalgia for the old classics and a spark of newness, Janna is devoted to creating memorable stories through high quality art. Some of her favorite collaborations include those with Natalie Portman, Smokey Bear, and Netflix, many of which had to do with whimsical animals. Her favorite mediums are watercolor and pencil. When not at the drawing table, Janna can be found practicing guitar, hanging out with Mozart (a dog), or learning chess.

...Rylant crafts a tale that is engaging without sacrificing decodability, and Mattia's pastel-hued illustrations have a timeless quality that suits the story perfectly. The bedraggled owl parents add a touch of slapstick humor, and readers are sure to root for this trio of feisty mice. ­VERDICT: Baked to ­perfection.--School Library Journal, starred review "June 2025"

Publisher: Simon Spotlight

Pub date: 2025-06-10

Length: 32 pages