Wheeler, Lisa. One Dark Night. Illustrated by Ivan Bates. Harcourt, Inc., 2003. ISBN 0152023186. $16.00. Unpaginated. Reviewer: Vicky M. Turner Reading Level: Preschool; Primary; Rating: Outstanding; Genre: Adventure stories; Subject: Bears--Juvenile fiction; Mice--Juvenile fiction; Friendship--Juvenile fiction; Mouse and Mole are two wee friends who enjoy their wee little home, their wee little meals and their wee little friendship. But one dark night they venture out into the dark and moonless night. Through the forest they travel, through the swamp they squish, and through the sharp thistles they squeeze until they get to the BIG GIANT glen. At the same time, a BIG GIANT bear who lives in his BIG GIANT lair is pacing and craving something new and juicy to eat. Finally he can wait no more; baring BIG GIANT teeth he stomps out into the dark night to find just the right something to munch on. Mouse and Mole fear for their lives as the stomping, growling, and grumbling bear comes closer…and closer…and closer… Will Mouse and Mole survive to eat their tiny wee feasts? Will Mouse and Mole make it back to their tiny wee home? Will BIG GIANT bear eat them on sight??? Or, will all three go skipping hand in hand through the glen for a BIG GIANT feast in the lair of their friend BIG bear? Absolutely adorable pictures of Mouse, Mole and Bear make this story a treat for the eyes. Likewise, clever rhyming chants make it a feast for the ears, and just a touch of fear makes it a thriller for the emotions. This story is a great read on any dark night!
