Mousie, I Will Read to You

September 1, 2018
Follow along as a little mouse is taught to love literacy.Opening on a tiny mouse upon a parent's lap, snoozing as the parent reads, the book shows how the inquisitive rodent grows into an independent reader "With a flashlight in your room / Reading a chapter book," then an absorbed college student, and finally the parent of his own little book lover, creating a sentimental ode to lifelong literacy. Hidden within the sweeping, flowery language are step-by-step directions for encouraging emergent literacy: building receptive and expressive language skills with rich vocabulary; modeling complex sentences; regularly sharing songs, stories, and poetry; curating print-rich environments; and utilizing local libraries. It's a comprehensive list, and grown-ups may appreciate the helpful coaching, especially the "tips for raising readers" appendix. Preschool children, however, may not be entranced by the lengthy free-verse poetry, high-level vocabulary and aspirational direct address of the wise adult guiding a child. If the earnest text is a little message-heavy, the vintage-style digital illustrations help make the medicine go down. Stylishly rendered in dappled, desaturated colors and with oversized ears and lengthy curled tails, the mice are a blend of sophisticated and sweet. Chunky scarves, retro toys, warm domestic scenes and lively playground action bring the mouse's world to life.The book's belief in literacy simply shines through and will appeal to families in search of an attractively illustrated parenting manual. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2018

Toddler-PreS-Cole teams with debut illustrator Crowton to chronicle methods of encouraging a wee mouse to fall in love with reading. Speaking in free verse, Mama explains how she will read simple stories to her infant, sing lullabies to the toddler, practice talk enrichment, and share visits to the library as her child grows older. She vows to listen to her child read and will sneak a peek as Mousie reads to his stuffed animals by flashlight. She promises ."..one day before you know it, on a blanket in the forest, you will read a story to your baby." Crowton's digital spreads are cozy in detail, with big-eared mice in preppy clothes, and have tranquil palettes to reflect each setting. The final page offers tips for raising readers by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. VERDICT The calming cadences and loving domestic scenes will please listeners, and adults will be gently guided in methods of inspiring lifelong learning.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2018
Preschool-G With sweet, lively touches in the text and art, this sentimental picture book features a mother mouse addressing her son, recalling his varied, developing relationship to books and reading. The book opens with the mother mouse cradling newborn Mousie and reading him a book about acorns, and she then describes, in often lyrical prose, sharing lullabies, poems, and stories with him as he grows and progresses from listening to talking ( Your first words fall out of your mouth like treasures ) to independently reading to his toys to studying on his own ( You will read about things / I've never known ). All comes full circle as she imagines Mousie reading to his own child in a charming concluding scene. Soft, colorful multimedia illustrations depict the cheerful characters in a variety of settings, such as hearing stories at bedtime, visiting a library, and discovering nature's wonders. While some scenarios, like those featuring Mousie when he's older, may not resonate with younger kids, this is nevertheless an affectionate celebration of literacy, books, and the ways adults can help foster a rewarding love of reading.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)