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102

by Matthew Cordell Publisher: LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG R

Critically Recognized

A nighttime quest in a miniature world

Regular price $18.12 USD
Regular price $30.21 USD Sale price $18.12 USD
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Hardcover New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Kirkus starred review

    Starred review; described as “Utterly entrancing.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A nighttime quest in a miniature world

After waking with a fever, George follows a cricket through a crack in his bedroom wall and into a tiny community of mice beneath an oak tree. His task there—helping a mother mouse finish soup for her sick child—gives the adventure a clear connection to care and generosity. Matthew Cordell builds the journey around a child’s change in scale, moving from bedroom to moonlit yard to the mice’s kitchen. The book pairs imaginative play with a small act of help, while its 48-page format keeps the story focused on George’s nighttime discovery.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 interested in imaginative adventures and miniature worlds
  • Young readers drawn to stories involving insects, animals, and nighttime settings
  • Families seeking a picture book that touches on kindness and helping others

Themes

Imagination and playCuriosityKindness and generosityCare for others

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

*"Utterly entrancing." --Kirkus, starred review
*"Tender and imaginative." --SLJ, starred review
*"Graceful, cozy." --Booklist, starred review
*"A weird and wonderful story." --Horn Book, starred review
*"Pulses with warmth and inventiveness."--PW, starred review

From Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell comes a cozy, magical nighttime adventure, where a child discovers the mysterious, miniature world beyond his bedroom walls. ​


Sent home from school earlier in the day with a fever, George awakens in the middle of the night to discover a cricket beckoning him on an adventure and soon finds himself shrunken down in size. He follows the insect guide through a crack in his bedroom wall, through the moonlit yard, and into the home of a family of mice at the base of an oak tree. There, in a tiny, cozy kitchen, George discovers the meaning of his quest: he must help the Mama mouse complete her special 102-bean soup for her sick young son.

Delightfully sweet as it is fantastic, 102 seamlessly explores the values of curiosity, kindness, and generosity. The simple yet profound conclusion shares a clever wink with readers, encouraging them to believe the unbelievable.
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.