A Box of Treats

Kevin Henkes packages five complete mini picture books into one charming gift set, each starring a beloved mouse character — Owen, Sheila Rae, Wemberly, Julius, and Lilly — and each built around a seasonal candy treat. The stories are short even by picture-book standards, but Henkes uses every page well, letting each character's distinct personality shine through a simple problem-and-resolution. For toddlers already smitten with these characters, it is a genuine delight. The honest caveat is that this is primarily a gift item rather than a foundational read-aloud — each book is only 24 pages, and the candy-treat frame is more novelty than narrative substance. Still, for a first introduction to the Henkes mouse universe or as a holiday gift for a two-to-six-year-old, it earns its place on the shelf.