A Party for Mousse (Mousse vol. 4)
A Party for Mousse (Mousse vol. 4)
From the author of A Day With Mousse, a New York Times Best Book of the Year
In the fourth installment of Claire Lebourg’s beloved series for early readers, Mousse learns that it doesn’t matter where you spend the holidays, it’s who you spend them with that counts.
The holiday season is here. Mousse has chosen and trimmed the perfect tree. Then he gets a call from his sister inviting him to spend Christmas with her and Pistachio in the big city. Crowds and tall buildings aren't his cup of tea (or coffee), but Mousse wants to see his family: he packs his bags. With his niece Pistachio as his guide, Mousse finds a little bit of home amid the wonders of the city.
As Christmas draws to a close, Mousse invites Pistachio to ring in the New Year. A quiet celebration, just the two of them and the sea. They return to Mousse’s house to find a note from his old friend Barnacle on the door: he wants Mousse to host a new year’s party, and will bring a few guests. Together, Mousse and Pistachio set out to cook for what they suspect will be more than a few guests. Then the doorbell rings and Mousse dons his party socks, prepared for what is sure to be an unforgettable celebration...
Ages 5+ | Hardcover | 81 pages | ISBN: 9798893380507 | July 7, 2026
PRAISE FOR MOUSSE
“Reminiscent of the late William Steig’s work, this imaginative French import blends elegant turns of phrase with delicate art, rendered in watercolor and pen and ink. Divided into three chapters, the text includes challenging syntax and vocabulary, but emergent readers will eagerly push on, encouraged by the gentle humor and by their feelings of sophistication over the naïve Mousse. The interplay between visuals and words is a sheer delight, while the final punchline will have little ones giggling. Enchanting.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Lebourg’s signature blend of wryly humorous text and finely rendered, offbeat illustrations make Have a Good Trip, Mousse! an adventure to treasure and remember."—BookPage, starred review
“Mousse is a fantastical green-and-white striped creature whose wardrobe decisions entail choosing his daily pair of socks... But Mousse’s daily life is interrupted when an uninvited walrus named J.P. Barnacle enters his house and takes up residence, challenging the reclusive Mousse to include a new someone in his life... This charming fantasy is suitable for reading independently or as a read-aloud. A pleasing picture book with a chapter book format.”—School Library Journal
"A Day with Mousse is a crystalline ode to uncomplicated delights. Celebrating the joy of being in the moment above all, its delicate watercolor illustrations revel in everyday activities...its gentle presentation and delightful imagery suggests that the unexpected can be a welcome boon to one’s daily existence."—Foreword Reviews
“The work that goes into friendship is what elevates the Mousse series into something special... [Lebourg] respects the reader and does not trivialize feelings of loneliness and jealousy. It is a rare ability to put emotions into concise text.”—World Kid Lit