Whitefoot the Wood Mouse

** "Whitefoot the Wood Mouse" by Thornton W. Burgess is an imaginative tale for young readers that centers on the life of Whitefoot, an upbeat wood mouse, as he makes his home in Farmer Brown's sugar-house during the winter. The story revolves around the themes of joy, companionship, and the trials of a vulnerable creature surviving in a world full of predators. We find him content and resilient in the face of danger, such as avoiding bears and owls, and his outlook allows him to befriend Farmer Brown's boy, who offers him food. As the season progresses, the wood pile—Whitefoot's safe haven—becomes threatened when it is used for the fire, causing Whitefoot to worry about his safety. The story presents Whitefoot's simple life, where happiness and apprehension coexist; and it sets the scene for his developing journey and relationships within the forest. **