Busy Little Mouse

by Eugenie Fernandes

Summary: As Busy Little Mouse hurries outside to play, children are introduced to his many farmyard playmates and the sounds they make.

This book’s illustrations are appealing. The illustrator uses 3D artwork with pliable modeling material. Young children are sure to enjoy the animals highlighted in the text.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 4

Little Mouse Gets Ready

Little Mouse Gets Ready

by Jeff Smith

Summary: Little Mouse gets dressed to go to the barn with his mother, brothers, and sisters.

This easy reader graphic novel is winner of the prestigious American Library Association’s (ALA) Theodor Seuss Giesel award. It can be used to teach getting dressed with younger children. The book is worth reading for the humor at the very end!

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

 

The Wizard Mouse 

by Dean Morrissey

Summary: A field mouse travels far from his home and helps restore a wizard's magic; thus, saving the kingdom of Muddmoor.

This imaginative adventure is ideal for strong readers in primary school to read to themselves. The vibrant illustrations draw the reader deep into this fantasy. The story’s message of following one’s dreams and being true to oneself is truly inspiring and will captivate any young readers’ heart. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

Mouse and Mole, a Perfect Halloween

by Wong Herbert Yee

Summary: As Halloween approaches, Mouse helps her friend Mole get over his fear and enjoy the holiday.

This beginning reader is a recipient of the American Library Assoication’s Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor award. This is a nice story of friendship that is most appropriate for first and second graders to read to themselves.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

 

Hopper and Wilson 

by Maria van Lieshout

Summary: An elephant and a mouse embark on a journey to discover what it looks like at the end of the world.

This is a sweet book that is great for entertainment value alone. A quick discussion on how there is no edge of the world is appropriate after reading this story with younger children.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

Pumpkin Cat

by Anne Mortimer

Summary: Mouse shows Cat how to grow pumpkins, then turns one into a surprise. Includes facts about growing pumpkins.

This is a short Halloween story that is great for sharing with little ones. It is not scary in any way. The book is an excellent read aloud before discussing pumpkins or planting.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

by Jan Brett

Summary: After trading houses, the country mice and the town mice discover there's no place like home.

This tale is retold with Jan Brett’s beautiful, detailed illustrations. The book is somewhat lengthy, and may be best suited for taking turns reading with a beginning reader.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

One More Hug for Madison

One More Hug for Madison

 by Caroline Jayne Church

Summary: Madison the mouse keeps asking her patient mother for just one more thing before she goes to sleep.

This is a very cute story with an ending that surprised me. This book is great for discussing why parents should not be woken up at night for “just one more thing!”

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

by Thomas Taylor

Summary: A very small mouse finds a very big chocolate chip, raspberry cream cupcake and must ask for help from his animal friends to get it home--all of whom agree in exchange for a little nibble.

This is an adorable book for discussing sharing, as well as reading before, during, or after eating cupcakes!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Summary: This book is the story of what could happen if you a gave mouse a cookie… and then whatever else he may ask for.

I first heard this book in second grade and remembered it years later when it was discussed in a literature class! This is a great interactive read aloud for a class where children can chant the repeating parts.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Christmas with the Mousekins

Christmas with the Mousekins

by Maggie Smith

Summary: A mouse family tells stories, bakes cookies, makes crafts, and more as they prepare for Christmas. Includes directions for each of the crafts and recipes for cookies.

This book is adorable with beautiful detailed pictures. The story is on the longer side, but a young child with a longer than average attention span would love it. In addition to the story, the pages include both new poems and twists on old songs.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends Balancing Act

Balancing Act

by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Summary: Two mice have fun playing on a teeter-totter, but as more and larger friends join them, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay balanced.

This is a precious book that would be wonderful to read to a child before using a balancing beam or for an introduction to a basic measuring activity.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse

by Jerry Pinkney

Summary: In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

The pictures in this book are fabulous, especially in depicting a ferocious lion. I have never seen this fable as a wordless book; in fact, even the front cover is wordless! This book is excellent for working with a child one on one to develop pre-reading skills. Adults, who may not be comfortable asking a child what is happening in a story they do not know themselves, may want to read this tale with words ahead of time.