Review of "Micawber" by John Lithgow, C.F. Payne

With his first two children's books, reknowned actor John Lithgow has already proven that he has the magic. His "Marsupial Sue" and "The Remarkable Farkle McBride" have passed the test of time with the very young crowd that has already outgrown those books. But there is always another group of four-to-eight year-olds who are ready for this new one, too.

Micawber is a squirrel who loves to look into windows at the nearby art museum. Micawber likes the paintings he sees. After he notices that a young person is copying one of the paintings, Micawber decides that he can do the same thing. The clever squirrel follows the young person to her home and sneaks in late at night. Using his tail as a brush and her paints and pallet, Macawber creates. Micawber is very proud of his paintings.

The illustrations by Payne are warm with color and realism. The star of the story is an adorable little creature that will steal your heart. You find out how wonderful his paintings are on the very last page.

A simply fine little modern fable to enjoy, to read and to have read to you by a parent or grandparent.