Cinco De Mouse-o! [Library Binding]

Judy Cox (Author), Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Yum! Yum! A delicious beany, cheesy smell wakes up Mouse. He follows his nose down the street to a Cinco de Mayo festival. There, high in a tree, he spies a magnifica pinata. If only Mouse could get just one piece of candy from it. But danger is everywhere, from the stomping feet of dancers to Cat, who is planning a holiday fiesta of his own with Mouse on the menu.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—First challenged by Cat in One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale (Holiday House, 2008), Mouse wakes up to a spicy adventure on May 5th, teased with tantalizing, nose-twitching aromas from his neighborhood Cinco de Mayo festival. A palette of pastels and acrylic paint details Mouse's innocent stroll (relentlessly stalked by careful Cat on the prowl) to the park until sights and sounds confront him with the reflection of his heart's desire—an enormous tree-hung, candy-stuffed piñata. Ebbeler places readers up close and personal with a spread of the mouse viewing an elusive piñata, followed by a sombrero-seat view of the mariachi band, twirling skirts, and stamping heels. Visuals from unusual perspectives propel the action, while text and art on other pages reveal quieter "mouse" emotions. With a tightrope-balanced Mouse and a wild ride atop the burro piñata, this action-packed tale combines Mexican tradition with adventure for young readers.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

On the fifth of May, Mouse wakes to the smell of delicious foods and follows his nose until he discovers a festive scene: bright flags, children playing, mariachis, and people shouting, “Viva Mexico!” After being stalked by a cat and nearly trampled by enthusiastic children, Mouse still ends the day triumphantly, having experienced the fun of Cinco de Mayo. A brief introductory note explains the significance of the holiday, but Cox focuses on the day’s celebratory activities, illustrated in Ebbeler’s exuberant pictures. Another winner from the team behind One Is a Feast for Mouse (2008). Grades K-2. --Kara Dean

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (May 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823421945
• ISBN-13: 978-0823421947
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in San Francisco. I'm the oldest of five children and enjoyed telling stories from an early age. I am a reading teacher at a small rural school. I am inspired to write children's books by my own love of good literature, by raising my son, and by teaching my students.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids of all ages will enjoy it, February 21, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cinco De Mouse-o! (Library Binding)

"Cinco de Mouse-o!" is a fun-filled adventure tale of a daring mouse who is determined to help celebrate Cinco de Mayo with his neighbors, even if he has to elude a very persistent yellow-striped cat. Even a little history of the Mexican independence holiday is included in this partially bilingual children's cultural. festival/holiday book. "Cinco de Mouse-o" is sure to be a winner with its imaginative, cartwheeling illustrations and its fast moving action and chase. Kids of all ages will enjoy it con mucho gusto.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent tale in which children can learn about Mexican and Latino cultural celebrations!, July 19, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cinco De Mouse-o! (Library Binding)

Mouse lay in his bed, but his nose went high in the air when he smelled some scrumptious "beany, cheesy, ricey smells." Mmmmm! He had to get out of his hidey-hole and roam the house to find out where those delicious smells were coming from. They weren't in the bathroom where the kids were, they weren't in the bedroom where Mom was working, and they weren't "in the kitchen where Dad washed dishes" with that Lemony Soap. He followed his nose all the way to the city park where a big banner said "Cinco De Mayo!"

Activity swirled around the park as people got ready to celebrate. There was a band playing in the bandstand, food everywhere, children waving flags, men on horses, and a dancer whirling her skirts to the sky. All of a sudden Mouse spotted a "confetti-covered piñata" hanging high in a tree. His little nose rose to the sky and the colorful piñata was reflected in his glasses. He had to figure out how to get some sweets from it, but in the meantime he was able to sample some "yummy foods he'd never tasted before! Tacos, tamales, choizos, and flan!" The excitement of Cinco de Mayo was everywhere and so was a yellow cat who was trying to think about how he could catch a little mouse on this special day!

This is an excellent tale in which children can learn about Mexican and Latino cultural celebrations. A charming little mouse guides the reader through the day showing him or her what goes on during Cinco De Mayo. Naturally children love piñatas and this story would be a perfect one to read at a birthday party where there is one or as an introduction to the holiday. The artwork is colorful, lively, and compliments the story quite nicely. This would be an excellent story to read and discuss during story or circle time in the homeschool or classroom setting!