Mouse's First Fall

October 1, 2006
PreS-Another entry in a sweet series. It is autumn and Mouse, accompanied by Minka, a larger rodent wearing a pink jacket, go out to play. As they enjoy the day, Mouse learns about leaves, their colors and shapes, and the fun that comes from piling them up and jumping in them. When Minka hides in the heap, Mouse is confused, but readers will quickly see her tail curling above the fallen foliage. Bright hues evoke the season and realistically show the leaves in all their variety. Swirling brushstrokes and texture add interest to the paintings. Each spread has one or two simple sentences, and additional comments (Pretty! Yippee! Whee!) are spread throughout to add to the fun. This is a pleasant read-aloud for introducing autumn, and it will certainly be enjoyed where the other titles are popular."Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2006
A welcome addition to the series that includes " Mouse's First Halloween" (2000) and " Mouse's First Spring" (2005), this playful picture book celebrates fall. Going out on an autumn day, Mouse and Minka, evidently Mouse's big sister, discover leaves falling through the air and lying on the ground. Minka leads and Mouse happily follows as they run through the leaves, look at their shapes, pile them up, and play hide-and-seek. Reds and yellows shine out jewel-bright against darker shades of blue, brown, and green. With warm colors and rounded forms, the large-scale illustrations are fine for sharing with groups of young children. A solid choice for preschool teachers seeking simple, childlike books on the season to share with their classes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)