"You ate the story?" says one mouse to the other in this funny, heartfelt read-aloud with pitch-perfect repartee and Barney Saltzberg's signature take on the joys of creativity. Two mice--one big and one small--have a terrible problem. Little Mouse is looking for a story--they're in a book, after all!--and Big Mouse has to admit the truth. The story is gone. And (gasp!) he ate it. That is not okay with Little Mouse, who is all ready to hear a story and will settle for nothing less. Saltzberg's improvisational dialogue showcases both the patience required of true creativity and the dazzling on-the-spot storytelling that can happen when you get in the flow. In the end, these endearing mice work out their conflict-- and make the reader realize that they've been delivering a story all along. Parents and children will want to take this satisfying comedic journey together again and again.