Mouse Scouts

November 9, 2015
Dillard (the Extraordinary Warren books) kicks off the Mouse Scouts series with a good-natured story about the gardening travails of a group of young mice who are attempting to earn their Sow It and Grow It scouting badges. Quiet Violet, her more daring friend Tigerlily, and their fellow scouts learn that determination and hard work are essential to creating a thriving garden; they collaborate to gather seeds and, later, fend off pests big and small. Understated pencil illustrations readily capture the mice’s emotions, while excerpts from their Mouse Scout Handbook offer a humorous window into their world (“A single pea is a healthy snack,” reads one entry). It’s easy to imagine children finishing this book with an increased interest in both gardening and scouting. Available simultaneously: Make a Difference. Ages 7–10. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words.

October 1, 2015
Best friends Tigerlily and Violet earn merit badges and develop their leadership skills as newly minted Acorn Scouts. After their time together in the Buttercups, both mice are ready for the rigors of being full-fledged Acorns. Whether it's the acorn salute or the Mouse Scout pledge, earnest Violet is dedicated to the Scouts and their mission. Her best friend, Tigerlily, is something of a Type B]a good balance for Violet. Their first project is to grow vegetables. Violet loves the challenge, but Tigerlily needs a recon mission to the shed to get engaged. The scout troop is made up of all sorts of scouts, from lactose-intolerant Junebug to bored-out-of-her mind Hyacinth. They face all the challenges of gardening, from planting and watering to fighting off pests both small (bugs) and large (such raiders as rabbits and squirrels, who speak but do not wear clothes). Excerpts from the Mouse Scout Handbook add information about gardening and scout rules and keep the story moving along. Droll black-and-white pencil drawings add dimension and humor to each spread and help new chapter-book readers negotiate the challenge of long stretches of print. The second book in the series, Mouse Scouts Make a Difference, sees these scouts trying to effect positive change and finding that it is harder than they anticipated. Strong characters plus lots of laughs make this a welcome series for new readers, who will look forward to reading about all 16 badges. (Animal fantasy. 7-10)

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November 1, 2015

Gr 1-4-An illustrated chapter book series comprised of the winsome tales of Tigerlily and Violet, two newly minted Acorn Scouts. The pair of friends are joined by their fellow mice in adventures. Each title follows the protagonists as they attempt to earn a badge, guided by their scout leader, Miss Poppy. In the first installment, the girls work diligently at growing a garden, all the while fending off pesky weevils and squirrels. In the second story, the troop decides to earn the Make a Difference badge by cleaning up the local park. But during their clean up attempt, they must rescue a cat-a natural mouse predator-from a tree using a basket and pulley system. Peppered with black-and-white pencil drawings, excerpts from the Mouse Scout Handbook, and a copy of the Mouse Scout Song, this series is sure to appeal to any new or old scouts. Additionally, the books contain an illustrated listing of badges, hinting at future titles in which the girls attempt to earn Fun and Foraging or Friendship badges. The two main characters, Tigerlily and Violet, are polar opposites, with Tigerlily being a bit of a wild child and Violet more reserved, reminiscent of Ivy and Bean. Full of feel-good messages and morality lessons, these books are a creative and fun way to interest young readers in teamwork and environmental stewardship. VERDICT At times the comedy and vocabulary may be tricky for newly emergent readers, but these titles would do well in libraries with fans of Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones, and the Nancy Drew Clue Crew.-Kaitlin Malixi, Virginia Beach Public Library, VA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2015
Grades 2-4 The author-illustrator of Perfectly Arugula (2009) and the Extraordinary Warren graphic novels enters chapter-book territory with this cheerful series starter. Timid Violet and exuberant Tigerlily are best friends and newly fledged Acorn Scouts trying to earn a Sow It and Grow It merit badge with their troop mateshaughty Hyacinth; Petunia, with the crooked tail; Cricket, who's always nibbling; and allergic Junebug. Each mouse is identifiable in the gray-scale pencil and digital-media illustrations included on every spread, and Dillard incorporates selections from the Mouse Scout Handbook, which explains the requirements for the gardening badgethis troop's summer project. Some suspense is added to the simple plot when garden pests, small and then large, threaten their harvest until the resourceful friends find just the right defenses. Also included are the Mouse Scout pledge, the words and music to the Acorn Scout song, and a list of attainable badgessetting the stage for episodes to follow. Readers won't have to be scouts to enjoy this agreeable tale of friendship and gardening.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)