Mary lives in a big brick house. A very small mouse lives in a tiny house inside Mary's home. Mary and the mouse have lots in common. They each have parents and a brother and a sister. When Mary goes to school to learn to draw, read, count, and sing, the mouse learns to do all the same things in her school in a hollow tree. Mary doesn't know the mouse is there until one night when she drops a fork. Simultaneously, the mouse drops a spoon. Mary and the mouse see each other . . .and that is the beginning of a friendship that continues on until Mary leaves for college, where Mary yearns for the mouse (while the mouse longs for Mary). Eventually, Mary has her own family. Her daughter Maria is delighted when she becomes aware of Mouse Mouse (the original mouse's daughter) and the comradeship continues into the next generation.

This is an irresistible story with whimsical illustrations that are so detailed and cozy, children will be enraptured.