Seven Little Mice Go to School

K-Gr 2—Mama Mouse has seven little mice who are about to start school. Even though she has outfitted them in new hats, shoes, and book bags, the septuplets are reluctant to go. They worry that school is too far away, they will be too sleepy, there will be bullies, or they might encounter a snake on the way. Clever Mama gets an idea. The night before the big day she takes two blue balls of yarn and makes a path through the forest all the way to school. The next morning she announces, "All aboard! The train for school is leaving now!" and makes her way on the path. The children eagerly pick up on the game and follow along, holding on to one another's tails. When the Mouse Train goes through a tunnel, Mama Mouse and the children encounter a snake. It is as surprised as the mice and slithers away in fright. By now, many more mice youngsters have joined the train and Mama marches everyone off to school. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the story. The mice are all individualized with gently humorous details and the palette is appropriate for the woodland setting. The scene in the tunnel with the snake is dark and ominous. This clever take on the afraid-to-go-to-school theme should have broad appeal.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI