Mice Mischief

March 3, 2014
Ten mice demonstrate the combinations of numbers that can add up to 10 in this cozy picture book from the team behind The House of 12 Bunnies. After they awaken, “9 mice tidy,” while “1 mouse somersaults. 9+1=10” (Rossell shows a black-and-white spotted mouse gleefully diving off the group’s bunk-bed tower onto pillows scattered on the floor). This mix of helpful behavior and silly fun continues in the following pages, which have eight mice cooking while two juggle berries, seven washing dishes while three twirl plates on needles, and so on. It’s a clear and focused exploration of the concept, one that doesn’t lack for fun thanks to the mice’s antics. Ages 3–6.

February 15, 2014
Ten adorable mice one by one abandon their chores for fun, allowing readers an introduction to the addition facts summing 10. When the 10 mice awake in their oh-so-awesome triple-layer bunk bed, one immediately jumps into the fun: "9 mice tidy. / 1 mouse somersaults. 9+1=10." The mice are differentiated enough so careful observers can see that the diligent mice are always the same ones. While eight mice cook breakfast, two juggle. Seven wash up, three spin the plates on needles while standing on spools of thread. And so the day continues with household chores sure to be familiar to preschoolers--hanging and folding laundry, scrubbing and mopping the floor, dusting and polishing. One by one, each is edged out by fun--balancing, swinging, building, etc., a math sentence on every page. Rossell's delightful pencil, liquid acrylic and collage illustrations are the stars here. With small alphabet blocks, Legos, pencils and marbles as the mice's playthings, little ones may imagine rodents in their own homes playing with the miscellany they have left lying around. While the math is there on every page, the learning is painless, as preschoolers will likely be more focused on the antics of the mice; repeat readings will keep exposing children to the math facts. Though these mice are rather tame in the mischief department, preschoolers get some good practice in counting down, adding up to 10 and recognizing addition sentences. (Math picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Math facts truly are in action in this picture book of mice and mathematics. This cheerful title features 10 mice who begin their day by somersaulting out of bed and then proceed to cook, juggle, wash, clown, scrub, and build. The word choice throughout is descriptive and memorable. Each page features various combinations of the mice cavorting and playing, along with a sentence to explain the math fact. (For example, "3 mice mop. 7 mice totter. 3+7=10.") Bright and colorful pencil, liquid acrylic, and collage illustrations adorn each spread of sparse text. Young readers will be enchanted by these playful mice and will thoroughly enjoy this fun book that helps with understanding addition. A worthwhile purchase for most libraries that serve children.-Nancy Jo Lambert, Ruth Borchardt Elementary, Plano, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2014
Preschool-G First published in Australia, this brightly illustrated picture book is a winning combination of basic mathematics and high spirits. On a series of lively double-page spreads, 10 pert little mice cavort through their household chores, which they perform with varying degrees of dexterity and acrobatic skill. After awakening in their triple-decker bunk bed, 9 mice tidy the bed, while 1 mouse somersaults out of it: 9+1=10. Then 8 mice cook pancakes, while 2 mice juggle fruit: 8+2=10. The trend continues, with a decreasing number of mice actually working and an increasing number goofing off, but they always add up to 10. The text works well, setting up the book's structure, while the high-spirited pencil, liquid acrylic, and collage illustrations give it a joyful look and offer plenty of amusing details for kids to discover on their own. A playful introduction to counting, sorting, and sets.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
"9 mice tidy. / 1 mouse somersaults. 9 + 1 = 10." As ten mice prepare for their circus, the breakdown of activity shifts from chores to play, cleverly reinforcing how different combinations of numbers all add up to ten. Mixed-media illustrations of cute-as-can-be acrobatic mice are supported by spare text and a simple equation on each spread, providing an inviting way to introduce basic addition.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)