<DIV>Inspired by a grandmother's bedtime story and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, <i>Meow Said the Mouse</i> is a delightful and whimsical tale of a mouse that turns into a cat. Instead of being afraid, the mouse learns to appreciate her new appearance and realizes that she is a part of everything else on earth. Told as an endless loop (the end of the story becomes the beginning again), the story serves as a metaphor for change, and presents an original example of the Buddhist idea of interdependence.<BR><BR>Philippe Ames combines paper cutout and collage techniques with Indonesian shadow puppet esthetics. These illustrations perfectly complement the intimate, handcrafted character of the story, resulting in contemporary original art rooted in an ancient tradition.<BR></div>