The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue (Library Binding)

~ Jan Wahl (Author), Bob Doucet (Illustrator), Scholastic Inc. (Corporate Author), Field Museum of Natural History (Corporate Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Field Mouse leads a quiet, contented life in his burrow under an old bone. But one day he starts hearing strange scritching noises outside. Peering out, he sees people with shovels and picks digging gently in a nearby bluff. What's going on? Field Mouse scurries out to explore. Later, when he returns to his cozy home, he finds that his bone is gone! This intrepid little fellow sets out on a mission to reclaim his roof. His search leads him to a strange place called The Field Museum of Chicago, where, lonely and frightened, he scampers around, evading vacuum cleaners and scientists, and always seeking his beloved bone. Finally, one day, Field Mouse comes across the biggest Tyrannosaurus rex in the world, 67 million years old--and his bone! The determined homebody settles right in to his new quarters--right under the T-rex's toes!

A clever idea with a somewhat dull presentation, this story will certainly inspire flights of fancy and interest in the ever fascinating great dinosaurs. Based on the true story of the largest, most complete T-rex ever found, this version is given a fanciful treatment and original point of view by award-winning author Jan Wahl. Bob Doucet's illustrations utilize compelling perspectives, but are somewhat lackluster. Wahl has written more than 100 books for children, including The Singing Geese. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Field Mouse's peaceful home in South Dakota is disrupted when archaeologists take the bone that serves as his roof to Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History, where the little mouse also ends up after following a cheese sandwich into a packing crate. He gradually adjusts to his new environs and finally finds his bone again in the foot of Sue, the spectacular T. rex now on exhibit. This playful treatment of size, scale, and perspective is just one of this book's engaging features. Field Mouse himself is an endearing character, and the colossal goings-on around him never completely overshadow his own small but important quest, his search for a home. Wahl gracefully weaves facts with fiction, supplying interesting tidbits about prehistoric life. The soft colors and earth tones in the simple, realistic paintings are as straightforward as the conversational text. The human figures are occasionally a bit stiff, but overall the pictures work well. Best of all, both story and artwork keep child appeal uppermost in mind.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel Books (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439099846
• ISBN-13: 978-0439099844
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #188,977 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue is 'Dino'mite!, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

While this is a fictional account of Sue, the story gives children a broad look at what's involved in putting together a dinosaur for a museum display. From the dig, to carefully cleaning the bones, and putting them together on display at the museum - all from a mouse's eyes. This is a delightful children's book for all ages!