Mirabel’s Valentines are missing, but don’t miss this tail…

This review will have a few spoilers.

Best part of Valentine’s Day is the chocolate. And the books. In that order. (Priorities my friends; priorities.) If you are looking for an alternative to giving your sweetheart, child or classroom candy for this day, you can try this new story.

This is an adorable book. Mirabel’s Missing Valentines is a sweet new story about friendship love, trying and doing your best. Mirabel is a sweet character. Not only is she a mouse, but a very traditional “girly girl” kind of mouse. Plus, she is shy. Janet Lawler has (again) sweet text. Olivia Chin Mueller’s illustrations are (yes you guessed it) sweet. Perhaps sugary sweet. They are very much illustrations for Valentine’s Day. The colors are happy. They are tones you see on Valentine’s Day (in cards, candy wrappers, ribbons, bows and other decorations). They are just (yup) sweet. They are just a delightful treat to the eyes. The text and art have a classic feeling to them. Mirabel does not really “save the day” or herself so there is not a lot of traditional action, or Girl-Power to look for. It is just a (once again) sweet story.

However, I am not sure I like the fact that the adults that accidentally get Mirabel’s Valentines (which were meant for her schoolmates) had to give up their Valentines. Maybe Lawler and Mueller could have shown Mirabel (at lunch or art time) making some especially for them, too. And then, they can sneak one of their own into her pack, like they show at the end. Of course, I do hope she fixed the hole in that bag (I did not notice that in the artwork, I just might have missed it though).