By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 20, 2010
Mice have played the gamut of roles in children’s literature: from the evil mischief-makers in the The Pied Piper to the sweet dancer, Angelina Ballerina. Recently, I received two new books with a different take on the role of the mouse. These books use mice as a metaphor for bravery and demonstrate strategies for children to put aside their fears and shyness. My kids loved both these stories, not only for their soothing messages but also for their amusing illustrations.
by Tim Nunn
Reading level: Four to eight year-olds
E-book: 32 pages
Publisher: Reeling & Writhing (2010)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Overcoming your fears
The first book, I’m Just a Mouse published by the Glasgow-based theater company Reeling & Writhing, tells the tale of a little mouse who couldn’t figure out humans. Why were they always screaming? What were they scared of? How could he make them stop screaming at him? Although he’s scared of the loud humans, the little mouse finds hidden reserves of bravery and in the process figures out how to be friends with humans. The best part of this story is that it’s available for free online at http://www.reelingwrithing.com/mousbook.html.
by Karen Lang
Reading level: Four to eight year-olds
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Self-published (2010)
Source of book: Author
What to expect: Overcoming your fears
In Martha the (Confident) Mouse by Karen Lang, the title character lives in an airy tree house and wonders about the mice that live in a cottage below her. She wants desperately to be friends with them but she’s worried that they might not reciprocate. Rather than stay up in her tree house, Martha finds a way to put her fears aside and introduces herself to the cottage mice. All ends well for Martha. This is Karen Lang’s first book. She is a mother of four children and her experience shows!
Leave us a comment: Do you have a favorite book that features a mouse?