Lithgow, J. (2007). Mahalia Mouse goes to college. Illustrated by Igor Oleynikov. New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

ISBN-13: 978-1-41692-715-0

Originally Lithgow’s commencement address to Harvard’s Class of 2005, told in rhyming verse, this story follows the adventures of one lone mouse who leaves her family one day on a search for food that turns into a quest for a college degree.  Though the tale is fanciful and absurd at times, the perseverance necessary to survive higher education is palpable.  The picture book works best as a read aloud, especially when listening to the included CD which sports Lithgow’s 2005 speech.