This book was first published in 1967 and recently reissued.  This is the story of a chatty family of field mice. They all begin to prepare for winter by gathering corn, nuts, wheat and straw and work hard day and night.  All – except Frederick.  He is busy gathering the sun rays for the cold dark winter days, colours for “winter is grey”, and words “for the winter days are long and many, we’ll run out of things to say”.

It is Frederick’s gathering that enables this family of field mice to survive this long dark winter – he takes them into the world of blue periwinkles and red poppies.  The words are succinct, the illustrations are collages – simple and effective. This understated gem will introduce your children to words and ideas and is thoroughly engaging.