Such a Little Mouse, by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Stephanie Yue; Orchard Books, $16.99, 32 pages, ages 3-5. 

A little gray field mouse with soft pink ears lives in the middle of a meadow, and though a cursory glance upon the landscape may reveal little, closer inspection highlights the industrious creature making the most out of each season. Every morning brings new adventures to take, woodland creatures to visit, and chores to complete, especially in the months leading up to winter. Veteran author Alice Shertle (Little Blue Truck; All You Need for a Snowman) writes poetry for the youngest readers in such a way that her work is always a pleasure to read aloud, while Stephanie Yue’s illustrations, done in graphite with digital colors, are welcoming and bright, no matter which season she’s rendering.