Customer Reviews

If You Take a Mouse to School

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, bottom line, my daughter loves this book. Loves the story and loves the pictures. So I have to give it an overall positive review because the primary purpose of a kid's book is to entertain the kids.

But I do have a little complaint, and I know how silly it will sound. This book is a follow-up to "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" and others in the series, such as another of my daughter's favorites, "If you Give A Moose A Muffin." What is clever about these stories is that they develop a circular sequence of events that ultimately lead back to the beginning for what could be another in an infinite series of rotations through the steps. This book does not end so neatly. The mouse must return to the school to retrieve his lunchbox, hence you are taking a mouse to school again, but it is at the end of the school day, not the beginning. If there were one more page it would say, "Umm, then you'd go home."

I know, again I'm being too nit-picky for a kid's book. But parents will feel more enthusiastic to read a kids book where the gimmick is successfully carried out, not one that seems forced, as if the writer had a deadline. Or a nap to take.

Still, thumbs and tails up. I gave it four stars figuring I'd give five to Felicia Bond, the illustrator, and three to the author, Laura Numeroff.

My son loves the previous books in the series, and this one is not bad, either. The drawing of the mouse peeking out from behind the book in class is fabulous, as is the blackboard sequence where he shows off his spelling and math abilities.

But this title lacks some of the sparkle and mischevious charm that made the moose and the pig and the original mouse such lovable characters. It comes across as a bit uninspired, there's no crazy, yet logical, sequence to follow, just a series of interesting spreads of our mouse showing off his amazing skills. Skateboarding... whee. Basketball... whee. So what?

The giggle that builds to a crescendo as you near the end of the other books is missing here, leaving you... wanting. So, it's back to muffins and pancakes and cookies for us.

"If you take a mouse to school he'll ask you for your lunchbox..." So begins Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's latest manic chain of events adventure, and little ones, familiar with this marvelous series, will know just what kind of trouble is coming next. Mouse is never quite satisfied. Once he's got your lunchbox, he'll want a sandwich, and a snack for later, a notebook and pencils, and he'll want to share your backpack. Once you get to school, he'll do a little math, some spelling, and a rather messy science experiment, that sends him to the bathroom in need of washing up. Then he notices the building blocks, and so on, and so forth, through the end of the school day and after, until the story comes full circle, and his boy companion ends up taking him back to school..... Ms Numeroff's lively text is entertaining and engaging, but it's Ms Bond's busy, bright and exuberant illustrations that make this picture book sparkle. Each colorful, action packed page is filled with special, humorous details, and youngsters will revel in all the fun as they watch this endearing little rodent wreak havoc and create chaos in the classroom. Though the story doesn't flow as smoothly as in the previous books of this series (If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, If You Give A Moose A Muffin, If You Take A Mouse To The Movies), and isn't quite as intricate or clever, If You Take A Mouse To School is still a comical, silly romp kids 3-7 will want to read again and again.

I bought this for my soon to be three year old daughter because she loves the other books in this series so much (if you give a mouse a cookie, a pig a pancake, etc.). I was glad to see mouse going to school. I am currently trying to warm my daughter up to the idea of attending a preschool. Thanks to mouse and his human boy friend school looks like a fun place to be. The boy in this story reminds me somewhat of myself. Always trying to satisfy the insatiable demands of a mouse or in my case the demands of a preschooler. Parents and kids will enjoy reading this book together. A great addition to the series.

This must be the 5th or 6th in this series that pairs author Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond in a creative partnership that has spawned more than a few adorable characters and situations. While the bold watercolors are as enchanting as usual, the story is weak here, focusing on action and mischief rather than the charming overarching story arc that surfaces in their better efforts. This book is fine, but others in the series are better. Buy 'If You Take a Mouse to the Movies' and get Mouse .. School at the library.

My daughter (2 years old) loves this book. It's funny, cute and has wonderful pictures. It was so great she even fell asleep with it (a first).

All of Laura Numeroff's books are worth adding to your collection.

My seventeen-month old son will search through his vast library to find this book (and the others in this series), protesting when I try to compromise with another selection. He loves the story, knows when to turn the page (which is no longer necessary, as I can recite them all from memory) and will accept no subsitute. I even tried burying the books away so that I could read something new to him, but he dug them out, carried them down the stairs and insisted I drop everything to recall what are apparently his favorite stories.

While I may tire of reading it over and over, my children love this book. I gave it to my daughter on her first day of kindergarten this year. She absolutely loves it (as well as all the other Mouse, Pig and Moose books). The pictures are adorable and there aren't a lot of words making it great for small children. My son said the teacher read them this book in first grade recently and all the children laughed and laughed. It's a true delight for many ages of children.

This little mouse gets into more things with his non-stop mind. He brain works similar to many children, I believe! From one thing to the next he goes, where he stops no one knows. He always cleans up his messes, although he's always off to something else soon after. He's an adventurous little mouse with a ton of energy. The kids love following him on those adventures, never quite sure what he'll get into next. This is definitely my children's favorite series in the house (which says a lot!).

Another in the cumulative series that begins with "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie." The sound recording that comes with this one is particularly good, and although the novelty of the concept is beginning to wear off this is still a quite enjoyable book. Children from two to five love the humor of these books, and the silly fantasy can provoke some very funny play.

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numaroff is a great book to read to your younger brother or sister. The book If You Take a Mouse to School is also a good book to laugh at. There are so many things to laugh at. I think you should check this book out. The words are the best part.

The words are way different than the pictures. For example, when the mouse goes to lunch they don't really show the lunch room, they don't even have chairs or tables. It was just something the mouse made with clay. However, it would've been better if the pictures said more. The book would be noticed more than what it is now. Also, I think kids love the pictures more than anything.

I also love the way the book was written. And my favorite part is when the author says, "He might do a little math, and spell a word or two." This is written only once, but I really love the picture because it's funny.

Each thing causes the mouse to have a better day. And the mouse makes you laugh so much, even if you've read it before. Also, everything the kids do, the mouse does too. This makes the story really hilarious.

Of course, the mouse has a great day. If You Take a Mouse to School is something you should check out because the mouse is the funniest. That is why I recommend If You Take a Mouse to School. Young kids who love to laugh will enjoy it. With all the funny things, I think people of all ages will love this book. And my favorite character is the mouse because the whole book is about him .That is why I recommend If You Take a Mouse to School.