Library Mouse [Hardcover]

Daniel Kirk (Author)

Book Description

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

A small creature offers his big voice for aspiring authors everywhere

Every child can be a writer—and Library Mouse shows them how!

Beloved children’s books author and illustrator Daniel Kirk wonderfully brings to life the story of Sam, a library mouse. Sam’s home was in a little hole in the wall in the children’s reference books section, and he thought that life was very good indeed. For Sam loved to read. He read picture books and chapter books, biographies and poetry, and ghost stories and mysteries. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself!

Sam shared his books with other library visitors by placing them on a bookshelf at night. Until there came the time that people wanted to meet this talented author. Whatever was Sam to do?

The joy of reading, writing, and sharing is brought to life in this warmhearted tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Put a mouse in a library and you have a sure seller; make the mouse a writer and you have a sure-fire hit. Sam lives in a hole in the wall behind the children's reference books. During the day he sleeps, but at night he reads all kinds of books. One night Sam decides to write and illustrate his own. He writes about himself, and he draws his likeness, posing in a little mirror and sketching what he saw. He slips Squeak! A Mouse's Life into the biography section. A girl finds it and shows it to the librarian, who is intrigued. Then Sam writes more: The Lonely Cheese and The Mystery of Mouse Mansion. Increasingly curious, the librarian posts a note on the bulletin board, inviting Sam to Meet the Author Day. What is Sam to do? His delightfully unexpected solution will inspire kids to write their own stories. In a rainbow of colors, the art, which features a slightly flattened perspective, ranges from small oval pictures of Sam busily sharpening pencils with his teeth to full-page views of the busy library. One great picture shows Sam's face filling the page, dark eyes alight and white whiskers bristling. It's a show-stopper. This is ready-made to introduce a classroom writing activity, though some of the pictures are too small to be appreciated in a large-group readaloud. Even so, this is fun, fun, fun. Cummins, Julie

About the Author

Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular books for children, among them Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!, which School Library Journal called “an instant hit with young children.” He has also both written and illustrated books, among them Snow Dude, which Booklist said “[crackles] with excitement and mischief . . . fun to read aloud,” and Bus Stop, Bus Go!, which School Library Journal called “a lively trip that’s loaded with fun.” Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children. He was inspired to write this book after spending countless blissful days with his family perusing the stacks at his local library. For more information about Daniel, visit www.danielkirk.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Library Binding edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810993465
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993464
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Library Mouse, August 23, 2007

By 

Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Library Mouse (Hardcover)

Kirk, Daniel, Library Mouse, Abrams Book for Young Readers, 2007

This is a very sweet and sunny tale about a mouse named Sam that lives in a library and ventures out of his hole after the library is closed to read. Inspired by the wonderful information and stories that he absorbs, he begins to write and illustrate his own books; the first picture book is entitled: Squeak! A Mouse's Life. His books are immediately discovered by patrons and handed over to the very surprised children's librarian who after the third book appears leaves a note for Sam that praises his talent, and invites him to be the special guest at a "Meet the Author Day". On that day before the event, the shy Sam places blank books and pencils next to a box with a sign that says, "Meet the Author". The next morning, excited children gaze in the box and see themselves in Sam's little mirror; soon they are writing their own books. Delightful eye-catching illustrations capture Sam and the library setting perfectly. Sam's very appealing character is vividly portrayed as he lies on the floor and reads, looks in a mirror so he can draw himself accurately, and sneaks his completed books on bookshelves that are filled with individually distinct books. The text is in a large-sized bold font that shows up very clearly on bright white paper backgrounds, and the colorful, detailed yet clear, vibrant illustrations jump out from the pages so well this book would work well in story time programs. The librarian is always cheerful, the multicultural children clearly love their library and the story is charming. All libraries will want at least one copy of this entertaining and uplifting celebration of reading and writing.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice little story, September 17, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Library Mouse (Hardcover)

Sam is a library mouse. He spends his days sleeping behind the children's reference books, and his nights reading. His imagination is so stirred that he desires to write books, and soon he does. It is when the children begin to discover and read Sam's books that he inspires them to write as well.

I can't make up my mind about this book. While at the outset it is a nice little story that encourages children to write, it almost feels like an agenda book more than a picture book. There isn't much story to it.

I can see great benefit to reading it to a room full of writers at a writer's conference. Or a room full of kids at the beginning of a creative writing class. But although my four children will sit through it and seem to like it, I don't see much enthusiasm from them. The read-aloud is smooth and there is nice repetition. The illustrations are colorful and entertaining (although there is one of the mouse that is disturbing to me. My kids don't seem to be bothered by it at all.) There is nothing objectionable about the book, just nothing really remarkable.

Armchair Interviews says: Heed the reviewer's comments.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A whimsical, fun celebration of the joys of reading, August 7, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Library Mouse (Hardcover)

Daniel Kirk's LIBRARY MOUSE is the fun story of one Sam, whose home is a little hole in the wall behind the children's reference books - perfect for a mouse who loves to read. Sam reads so much that one day he decides to write a book himself - and becomes a popular author. What will he do when his fans wish to meet him? LIBRARY MOUSE is a whimsical, fun celebration of the joys of reading and comes from an experienced children's book illustrator also capable of spinning a good yarn.