“The things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Aristotle

Reading Level: 

Grades K – 1 [according to common core]

Grade  1.1     [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a child reading on grade could read the book independently]

Interest Level:  Grades K – 3

Review and Comments:

Little Mouse is going to spend some time in the barn collecting the yummy tidbits dropped by the animals.  He is very excited to begin his day but first he must get dressed.  The story follows the progression of Little Mouse getting dressed from his underpants to his jacket.  He reminds himself to put the tags in the back and talks himself through pushing buttons through button holes.  When he is completely dressed his mother points out that mice do not wear clothes!  In a flash, Little Mouse is free of clothing and scampering to the barn.

This book is like a comic book. Speech bubbles are used and the pictures focus on Little Mouse as he works through the challenge of dressing independently. He brings to mind little hints that help him…..”Now I line the buttons up with the holes….”  The cover of the book is yellow and red and that color theme is continued throughout the story with touches of blue, white, and brown.

Little Mouse is a very likable and enthusiastic character. His story is simple enough that even young listeners will enjoy hearing Little Mouse work his way through a familiar challenge.

Possible Issues:

There are no issues with this book.

Further Discussion:

• Use a flannel board to retell the story of Little Mouse.
  • Make a figure of Little Mouse and each item of clothing.
  • Retell the story while putting the clothes on Little Mouse in the correct order.
• Little Mouse worked hard to dress himself.  Make a list of goals your child wants to achieve. [Examples: make a new friend, write the alphabet, etc.] Choose one goal and set up a plan for accomplishing the objective.  When the objective is achieved put a check or sticker next to it or cross it off.
• Draw a self portrait wearing a favorite outfit.
• Little Mouse puts his right shoe on his right foot and his left shoe on his left foot.  This would be a good time to practice right and left.
• Sing the Hokey Pokey
• This is not my original idea, but I used it as a teacher and it works. The child holds up both hands with thumbs facing each other. Fold all fingers down except the pointer fingers. The left finger and thumb form a “L” for left.

• Poem: Right Hand, Left Hand

This is my right hand                       Right hand, left hand

I hold it up high.                                Right hand, left hand

This is my left hand                         Touch the ground!

I touch the sky.

[Author Unknown]

Catholic Resources:

Little Mouse obeyed his mother by getting ready to go to the barn.  This lesson would be a good starting point to learn about and memorize the Fourth Commandment.  “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12, Deut 5:16).

CCC 2197    The fourth commandment opens the second table of the Decalogue. It shows us the order of charity. God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents to whom we owe life and who have handed on to us the knowledge of God. We are obliged to honor and respect all those whom God, for our good, has vested with his authority.