Customer Reviews

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U.S. Supreme Court

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse is an excellent story to teach kids about the judicial system. As a 3rd grade teacher this book really makes it a lot easier and fun for me to teach civics. The use of rhyme throughout the story gets even my most reluctant students involved in the learning process!

Peter and Cheryl Barnes have opened the doors to the Supreme Court and taken some of the mystery out of the judicial process. Told in rhyme and chock full of information, vocabulary and other fun facts, Chief Justice Marshall J. Mouse and his fellow mice justices show youngsters, step by step, how a law is challenged and makes it way through the court...from petition and oral arguments, to the work by court clerks and conferences by the justices, to handing down the final opinion. Cheryl Barnes marvelous, detailed illustrations include the actual architecture and decor of several rooms inside the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, there are historical notes and other factual information about the Court, famous cases and several justices at the end of the book, to augment lessons and discussions. Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse is a fascinating introduction to the Supreme Court, that will whet the appetite of kids 5 and up and have them asking for more.

The editorial review/synopsis written by Susan Hepler for this book could not be more wrong. Although the authors do not "dumb down" the judicial process for children, they present it in a fun, organized manner that is engaging to children. I've read this aloud to several very young children, all of whom loved it. In fact, one 3-year old child has nearly the entire book memorized. The illustrations are fantastic and accurate, and the story is entertaining, light-hearted, funny, and educational. Perhaps we should expect more out of our children, and hope that they use intelligent books like this one to learn actively, rather than insisting that authors write simplistic, silly books that cater to some children's (and parents') laziness.

I purchased this book which is a part of a three book series so that my grandchildren can learn about their government. The book has beautiful illustrations of the U. S. Supreme Court and presents a lovely snapshot of what goes on in that big white building in Washington, D. C.

My grandchildren are a little young for this book, but I think it will be very informative when they are ready to read it.

I was happy to find this excellent book at a reduced price, having looked for the book for some time--it was not available at local book stores. This book has excellent illustrations, and a good message which will teach my grand niece about the workings of the Supreme Court. Thanks.