Plenty of creatures are stirring in this Christmas picture book. Ferreri’s rhyming text introduces readers to a bevy of mice who, in Bowers’ cartoon illustrations, look like they could be kin to Hanna-Barbera’s Jerry. They find a delectable spread of Yuletide goodies set out on a festive table, with nary a human in sight. The mice declare it a “mouse buffet” and, deciding that this must be their “lucky day,” tuck in with relish. “Pies and pastries! Where to start? / Let’s dig into this apple tart! / Dip the ladle. Slurp the punch. / Candy canes! Crunchity crunch.” While the singsong cadence falters a bit, the slapstick humor in the pictures will support readers’ engagement when the mice’s exuberant enjoyment of a gingerbread house and a bunch of grapes causes food items to fall from the table and disturb a resting cat. In a true Christmas miracle, however, the rodents don’t become a “mouse buffet” for the cat. Though our heroes attempt to make a grand escape by tunneling through a sumptuous-looking cake (and then blocking the hole with a gingerbread man), as it turns out, they have nothing to fear. “Merry Christmas!” cries the benevolent marmalade tom, to whom the mice reply, “Let’s all share!” Oh, what fun! (Picture book. 2-5)