Maw Books

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My two little boys, age four and three, love Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban and illustrated by Henry Cole. I secretly wish that I could keep the pages of picture books perfectly crisp and pristine but then I have to tell myself that if that was the case in my house, then nobody would be reading the book.  I’m pleased to say that I can see the wear and tear of where little hands having been turning the pages of this adorable book.

Mouse was mad.  Hopping mad.  But Hare shows mouse how he’s not hopping properly.  But Mouse couldn’t hop right.  Which made him even more mad.  This time stomping mad.  But Bear doesn’t call that stomping.  When he stomped the trees shook and the earth rumbled.  Mouse tries to stomp like Bear but the trees did not shake and the earth did not rumble.  Which of course, made him even more mad.  Bobcat and Hedgehog don’t think he’s doing a fine job either.  But in the end, Mouse finds that he can be a type of mad that not even the other animals can perfect and also discovers something about himself as well.

As a parent, I really enjoy reading Mouse Was Mad aloud because it’s got such a great rhythm and really fun actions.  We can act out the book all together.  This book will have your kids up and moving.  Giggles will be sure to ensue as well.   Mouse, illustrated by Henry Cole, is so cute, I wouldn’t mind toting him around in my pocket.  Even if he is a mouse.

Links of interest:  Linda Urban website, Henry Cole website, more book blogger reviews. 
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  May 4, 2009.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 0152053379
Source copy: Review copy, Cybil’s nominee for which I was a panelist.
Mouse Was Mad is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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