Jerry Pinkney’s retelling of Aesop’s fable, The Lion And The Mouse (Little Brown, $16.99) captivates the imagination and holds the eye. On the cover, a lion’s eyes direct attention to the back cover where a mouse returns the beast’s gaze. Slip the jacket off and the title of the book is revealed in pictures. Such is the thoughtful detail in this tale of a tiny mouse who repays an unexpected act of kindness with a brave deed. Told entirely through pencil and watercolor art, with only the occasional sounds of the animals added to enhance the story, Pinkney’s insightful portrayal of nature and animals makes this one of the finest picture books ever created. All Ages. MAG