Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse

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Scholastic, 1989 - Juvenile Fiction - 32 pages
"Alexander always seems to create a ruckus. The family he lives with screams when they see him and chase him with a broom. One day, he meets another mouse, Willie, who looks just like him, small and gray. Except this mouse has two wheels, instead of legs, and a key in his back. The fact that this mouse is the little girl Annie's favorite toy makes Alexander very sad: "They don't care much for me, " he tells Willie. Although Alexander is jealous that the family loves Willie and not him, Alexander comes to love Willie, too. Since Willie can only move when wound, Alexander visits frequently, and tells him of his treacherous adventures, which include brooms and mousetraps. The two enjoy each other's company immensely, but when Alexander is alone in his hole, he wishes he were loved and cuddled by the family, as well. Alexander longs to be like Willie. One day, Willie tells Alexander of a magic lizard who has the power to change one animal into another. But will this lizard actually help Willie when he needs it the most?"--Résumé de l'éditeur.

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About the author (1989)

Leo Lionni was born in Amsterdam on May 5, 1910. He attended the University of Zurich and also earned a doctorate in Economics from the University of Genoa in 1935. He taught himself to draw by visiting museums. After marrying Nora Maffi in 1931, Lionni moved to Milan, Italy, where he became known as a painter. In 1939 he moved to Philadelphia and began working in advertising design. Lionni held several positions in the artistic field including artistic director and design director. He also served as president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Around 1960 Lionni moved back to Italy. His first of over forty children's books was Little Blue and Little Yellow. Other titles include Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse, all of which won a Caldecott Honor. In addition, he received the American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal in 1984. Lionni died on October 11, 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy at the age of 89.

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