In Frankel Mouse and the Bestish Lair Odo Hirsch offers a truly entertaining and captivating story for young children. 

It is the second Frankel Mouse book and follows the adventures of four mice; Frankel, Berrel, Cousin Ruthie and Michael, who occupy the DANGER 100,000 VOLTS electrical cupboard near the Baker Street platform in the underground railway of London.  

Ruthie, decides that their home is dull and needs some brightening up.  She claims that the Bestish Lair holds the answer to this problem as the Bestish dreams of colors and, while he was asleep, they would be able to take the color to paint their cupboard.  Frankel and Berrel aren't quite convinced of her claims and, like the reader, have no idea what the Bestish is.  So, in order to prove it to them, Ruthie decides to go and explore to find where the Bestish lives.  

The plot develops quickly and the adventure to find the Bestish lair begins.  The characters are easy to relate to and quickly the reader can become fond of each of them. 

Hirsch does not assume that his readers have read the first story, Frankel Mouse, and because of this I was still able to enjoy the story. 

While Ruthie is away, searching for the Bestish Lair, Michael and Frankel discover a lost mouse, Steven, on the train tracks.  Much to Michael’s astonishment Steven thinks that Michael has saved him and looks up to him as his hero.  This comes as a shock to Michael who didn't think that anyone would ever look up to him the way the he looks up to Frankel (the usual hero). 

Finally, to Berrel's surprise, Ruthie’s eventual return to the cupboard encourages Frankel, Michael and Steven to help her bring back the color.   

The story is most entertaining and the pictures provided by Ron Brooks help to add to the charm of the story.  Brooks has illustrated many picture books, including the classic John Brown, Rose and The Midnight Cat and carries through this style to Frankel Mouse and the Bestish Lair.  

I would strongly recommend this story for children between the ages of 5 and 8 years of age.

Other titles by Odo Hirsch:
Yoss (Allen & Unwin 2001)
Antonio S. and the Mystery of Theodore Guzman (Allen & Unwin 1997)
Hazel Green (Allen & Unwin 1999)
Something's Fishy, Hazel Green (Allen & Unwin 2000)
Have Courage, Hazel Green! (Allen & Unwin 2001)
Think Smart, Hazel Green (Allen & Unwin, 2003)
Frankel Mouse (Allen & Unwin 2000) 
Bartlett and the Ice Voyage (Allen & Unwin, 1998)
Bartlett and the City of Flames (Allen & Unwin, 1999)
Bartlett and the Forest of Plenty (Allen & Unwin, 2001)
Bartlett and the Island of Kings (Allen & Unwin, 2003)
Pincus Corbett's Strange Adventure (Allen & Unwin 2002) 

Review by Annemarie Holmyard

© 2004 Annemarie Holmyard