2008-2009 Texas 2 x 2

Pip & Squeak

by author and illustrator Ian Schoenherr is a 2008-2009 Texas 2 x 2 book. The story begins as two mice siblings named Pip (boy) and Squeak (sister) are busy getting ready to go to their friends Gus's birthday party. Readers can see the beautifully acrylic painted illustrations of them wrapping a big piece of cheese. An unexpected snowstorm fills the streets with snow but they manage to open their door and away they trapeze through wires to get to the party. Unfortunately, because they were in such a hurry Pip forgets to bring the gift. Their adventure begins in the middle of the story when they are trying to look amongst the overwhelming snow for something to give Gus as a gift. Dashing through the snow covered lawns they come across what they think is the "perfect gift." They climb on top of a snowman and grab the huge orange piece of "cheese-looking" object. Without realizing it's the snowman's nose, a carrot and not a piece of cheese, they give it to Gus as their gift.

I really enjoyed reading this book because of its illustrations and facial expressions made by these two adorable characters. I think young readers will enjoy this book with their parents.