ALA Booklist (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 1992)

When Penelope, a mouse child, asks Aunt Isabel to tell her a good story, Aunt Isabel replies that is the hardest kind and must be put together carefully. Together they construct a tale with all the important elements: appealing characters, conflict, terrible villains, a scary setting, and a fearless heroine who doesn't waste time with paw-wringing in a crisis. The tale-within-a-tale concerns a romance between Lady Penelope and Prince Augustus that is broken up by the mouse king and queen who think Penelope far too common for their royal son. But when the prince is kidnapped, it is Penelope who rescues him from his captors, blinding the mole with the light of the fireflies she juggles and disorienting the bat with her singing and violin playing. The droll, neatly executed watercolor illustrations are an integral part of the story. They capture wonderfully the haughtiness of the king and queen, the menace of the mole and bat, and the admiration of Prince Augustus as he listens to the gifted Lady Penelope warbling, The birds are squawking in the trees / I think that they have all got fleas. A fine book to enjoy on its own merits, but it will also be useful for teachers instructing primary students in the elements of creative writing. (Reviewed Jan. 15, 1992)

Horn Book (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Both an adventure with the flavor of a fairy tale and a simple lesson on the elements of story structure, this story-within-a-story is narrated by Penelope's Aunt Isabel, who, from Duke's sweet watercolors, appears to be an independent, Bohemian artist. A satisfying story with a decidedly nonsexist slant.

Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

There's a lot going on here: a story within a story—Aunt Isabel, a bohemian-looking mouse, pauses in her artistic endeavors (her drawings and paintings are informally hung around her snug home) to tell little Penelope a spur-of-the-moment story explicitly designed to demonstrate the construction of a plot. Getting some features from her niece (When does this story begin?''Long, long ago'') while also pointing out the importance of others (I think we should leave that Problem part out,'' Penelope complains, butJust wait till you hear what happens next!'' her aunt replies), she spins a story with classic elements (romance, villains) and a feminist denouement especially designed for her small audience (the heroine, after being spurned by the king and queen, bravely and cleverly saves the prince; there's a grand celebration, but any possible nuptials will occur only after careers are established). The framing story has an appealing warmth and is deftly interwoven with Aunt Isabel's tale so that both narratives move briskly; Duke's attractive watercolor illustrations are also well paced, and reinforce the similarities between the little mouse and the heroine of her aunt's tale. All in all: an entertaining production, with a light touch that saves it from preachiness; the playful introduction to the elements of fiction is especially intriguing, and should be invaluable to creative-writing programs for young children. (Picture book. 4-8)"

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

K-Gr 2-- When Aunt Isabel makes up a story for her niece Penelope, the tale she tells of Lady Nell and Prince Augustus is occasionally cliched but redeemed by a clever ending. As the young mouse helps her aunt weave the plot, Isabel provides a gentle lesson in story-making. The story within a story works mainly because of Duke's exuberant portrayal of her endearing mice. Children will identify with bright-eyed, feisty Penelope and will wish that they had a quirky aunt like Isabel (she's dressed in a 1920s flapper dress and sports a feathered headband). Because of the switches in narrative, the book would be best shared one-on-one or used as a language-arts supplement. An entertaining way to introduce children to the elements of storytelling while providing an impetus for their own creative endeavors. --Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elementary School, Pasadena, TX