Mrs. Noodlekugel (Mrs, Noodlekugel, Bk. 1)

Nick and Maxine live in a tall apartment building surrounded by tall apartment buildings, but if you look out the window at just the right angle, behind the building is a cute little backyard with a cute little house in it. But how can they get to it?

With the help of Mike the janitor and a secret door in the boiler room, Nick and Maxine find their way to the little house and the creatures who live there: a talking cat who serves tea, four farsighted mice who sometimes get crumbs up their noses . . . and Mrs. Noodlekugel, Nick and Maxine's new babysitter!