The Mother's Day Mice [Hardcover]

Eve Bunting (Author), Jan Brett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

It's Mother's Day and the three mouse brothers, Biggest, Middle, and Little, have only a short time to get their presents.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This third in a series of holiday books is a sweet story about the true meaning of Mother's Day, highlighted by Brett's lush pictures. Early in the morning, three young miceBiggest, Middle and Littleset off to find Mother's Day presents. Biggest has chosen a "wish" flower, Middle a strawberry and Little would like to bring home some honeysuckle. But Catstarkly portrayed from a mouse's point of viewstands in the way of the honeysuckle, and Little Mouse must head home without his present. On the way, he finds a new gift, one that can be shared by the whole family. While Bunting's story is simple and appealing, it is Brett's richly detailed illustrations that raise this book above the level of ordinary holiday fare. A treat not just for Mother's Day.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 A story for Mother's Day, for spring, for any day. Three mouse brothers, clad in bright plaid shirts and lederhosen, leave their snug cottage, intent upon finding the perfect gifts for their mother. Their early morning search is filled with dangers: a snake hidden in the thick underbush, a fox running by. However, the mice are brave, and hand-in-tail, they traipse through brush and briars to find their presents. In the end, it is Little Mouse, returning empty-handed, who has the best surprise of all: a song. The perspective is from a mouse's vantage point: toadstools and ferns seem like trees; a ripe, juicy strawberry is so big that Middle Mouse can barely carry his gift in his two arms; a dandelion fluff ball towers over Biggest Mouse. Through deft, simple lines, Brett captures the brothers' fear, their enjoyment of the sights, smells and sounds of their world and finally, their sheer delight at finding just the right gifts for their appreciative mother. The finely honed details, the soft colors, the expressions of love and sharing make this a story that is as fresh and harmonious as Little Mouse's song. Trev Jones, "School Library Journal"
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; First Edition edition (March 17, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899193870
• ISBN-13: 978-0899193878
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,189,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A loveable portrait of family in the animal kingdom., October 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mother's Day Mice (Hardcover)

The Mother's Day Mice was one of the first books I ever read. My mother would always ask me to check it out from the library to bring home for her to read! The book quickly becomes a family favorite as it moves and enlightens children and adults alike. Hopefully you will make it an addition to your child's collection as well. You won't regret it as the story remains timeless. Sometimes the simplicity of a mice family can renew our sense of love and responsibility to our own cherished family members. Most of all, it brings a positive addition to any Mother's Day celebration.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mother's Day Mice, March 11, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Mother's Day Mice (Paperback)

I thought that this story is an excellent story for young children and their mothers to read together. This story about three, cute little mice is precious. They want to find the perfect present for their mother. The Little Mouse is the sweetest character I have read about in a while. They pass some dangerous situations as they search the meadow for the gifts. The surprise at the end of the story will make you so happy, that'll you'd do that for your mother! The story is a very cute story to read, especially around Mother's Day. The illustrations in it are very, very well done and the mice are the cutest mice ever!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Greatest gfift is not the most expensive!, March 12, 2003

By 

Jordan Miller (Bay City, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mother's Day Mice (Paperback)

Favorite characters: Biggest Little Mouse, Middle Mouse, Little Mouse, and Mother

This book is about three mice who want to each get their mother a gift for Mother's Day. Each mouse wants to get the best gift, but it ends up being the littlest mouse who gets her the most unusual gift of all.
A nice book illustrated with colorful pictures that show these three little mice along their journey for presents. A nice story that shows how to share your love for your mother on Mother's Day.