A magpie is forlorn because he owns nothing. When a friendly mouse offers him a shiny marble, the magpie begins a seemingly endless search for more things with which to fill not just one nest, but many nests in the same tree. Soon, one too many things causes the branch on which one nest is resting to snap. When the magpie is trapped beneath the rubble of his hoarding, several mice come to his rescue and free him. The experience changes the magpie. He learns that not much at all is enough, and that friends are more important than possessions. Delightful, humorous illustrations by Brian Lies enhance the subtle, significant theme of this children’s picture book. Ages 4-8. (Houghton Mifflin)
