The Mousier the Merrier!

July 23, 2012
Four titles launch the Mouse Math series, which covers basic math concepts via a mouse family living in the walls of a “People House.” In this outing, when Albert and Wanda’s mother allows them to invite friends over to play a game, they end up with more mice than they bargained for, including the “Mousely triplets” in blue party dresses and musicians from the band Mousetrap. Fifteen mice in all come over to play (a mouse tally runs along the bottom of the pages). Melmon’s tender cartoons seamlessly integrate the counting lesson into the narrative. A closing section provides an activity guide aimed at parents or teachers. Available simultaneously: Albert Keeps Score, The Right Place for Albert, and Albert’s Amazing Snail. Ages 4–6.

September 1, 2012
Preschool-G In this entry in the Mouse Math series, two little mice, Albert and Wanda, ask their mother if they can invite friends to play. The mousier the merrier, she replies. On their way to find Leo and Lucy, they run across other mice and extend the invitation to them all. As the number of guests gradually rises, so does Wanda's anxiety level about Mom's reaction, despite Albert's reminder, the mousier the merrier. But when their mother sees 15 little mice, she knows just what to do. The pleasant, childlike story is simply told and punctuated by the title phrase. Created in ink, pencil, and watercolor and digitally enhanced, the artwork is lively and expressive. Fun Activities are appended, and while the suggestions are varied, many involve counting, a concept well supported by the story and illustrations. A cheerful addition to the growing list of math-related picture books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)