The Tickle Test

September 1, 2017

PreS-K-Want to be able to tickle any animal? Professionally? Then you will need to take the tickle test! In this fun tale, a tiny mouse takes up the challenge. He bravely tickles a giraffe, an octopus, a tiger, gorillas, an elephant, and many others in order to pass the tickle test. Of course, the young mouse is an excellent tickler and passes with flying colors. The joy is watching the reaction of all the animals as they are tickled. The mouse graders are also funny (and punny) as they look on in awe of the tickler. The illustrations are beautifully crafted with bright colors that will capture any child's attention. VERDICT Funny, well-drawn, and playful, this story will delight children and their caregivers. A joyous addition to most collections.-Nicole Detter-Smith, Homestead High School, IN

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
A mouse wants to join the Tickle Squad but first must prove that its skills are up to snuff. As two lab-coated rodents carefully look on (this is serious, scientific observation, after all), one tiny mouse tickles all kinds of creatures hoping to trigger a guffaw. Tickling a giraffe is easy; just run up and down those long legs. Tickling a bear requires a bit more caution, but it's fun when they start to wriggle and giggle. Tickling an octopus, however, can be quite tricky, as the tickler-in-training wonders: "An octopus loves to be tickled for sure, / but which was the arm that I tickled before?" Written in jumpy verse with rhymes that sometimes carry over into the speech-bubble comments of the scientists, the rhythm itself is ticklish and fun. Comically large, round ears make the tiny mice easy to spot, and various bodily functions triggered by the tickling are sure to elicit giggles. Alas, some of the animals' laughing expressions can be difficult to interpret: scrunched eyes and wide mouths with sharp teeth don't always look very jolly. Invites universal participatory tickling--it's hard to resist joining in. (Picture book. 3-6)

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