A review by ejl2623
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sipsworth is a mouse who finds his way into Helen Cartwright's home because she cannot resist checking out other people's garbage.  Helen is old. She lives alone in the home that once belonged to her parents.  She is widowed.  We aren't sure why her adult son is not in her life, but before she moved to the house, she burned everything.  Live was beautiful and now it doesn't feel worth living, until this mouse comes into her life.  Although this initially generates a trip to the hardware store for traps, it ultimately leads to giving Helen a reason to go on.  I thought this would be a Stuart Little type book where the mouse talks.  It is not.  The mouse, as mouse, is what matters and the connection is real and sweet.  A short, memorable and lovely story.  The audio book was great.