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226th out of 294 books
—
459 voters
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
by
Helen Ward
A gorgeously illustrated and poetically written classic, set in a 1930s-era city at Christmastime
Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangero...more
Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangero...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
September 11th 2012
by Templar
(first published October 1st 2011)
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Instantly one of my favorite retellings of this fable because the mice aren't wearing cutesy clothes and the illustrations show the sumptuousness of each setting. I do wish it hadn't been set at Christmas; it really restricts the universal nature of the story.
I read this to my preschool class as a comparison to the version we are studying in our reading unit. My students enjoyed it well enough, and it has a lot to recommend it.
The illustrations were beautiful and I appreciated that the mice were drawn like real mice instead of the cutesy ones wearing clothes that's normally found, however, for my students, it made it harder for them to tell the town mouse from the country mouse. Even though they were different colors, there was nothing about them tha...more
The illustrations were beautiful and I appreciated that the mice were drawn like real mice instead of the cutesy ones wearing clothes that's normally found, however, for my students, it made it harder for them to tell the town mouse from the country mouse. Even though they were different colors, there was nothing about them tha...more
Before today, my favorite illustrated version of 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse' was from Paul Galdone in the new early spring 2012 publication format. While I still love that one, this one is amazing and perfect for including Christmas time in a subtle years past sort of way. This is a large picture book and the illustrations are incredible and present the world from a mouse-eye-view. The first image I saw of the fox, I jolted a little bit - really putting you in the mind and frame of th...more
Grades 2 and up
Sumptuous illustrations highlight this retelling. The text is fairly simple and straightforward, but readers will pore over Ward's vivid watercolors. When he repays the visit of his more urbane cousin, the country mouse finds himself in an early 20th-century city, where wagons co-exist with electric lights and magical up and down elevators. The Christmas decorations add to the lavishness of the country mouse's new environment, but he discovers he prefers the simplicity and quiet...more
Sumptuous illustrations highlight this retelling. The text is fairly simple and straightforward, but readers will pore over Ward's vivid watercolors. When he repays the visit of his more urbane cousin, the country mouse finds himself in an early 20th-century city, where wagons co-exist with electric lights and magical up and down elevators. The Christmas decorations add to the lavishness of the country mouse's new environment, but he discovers he prefers the simplicity and quiet...more
I really enjoyed reading this folk tale. First of all, I loved the cover of the book. It immediately jumped off the shelf when I saw it at the library. The story is about two mice who encounter each coming from different places, the country and a town. This story focused on where you from and how you view the attractiveness of other places. The images are rich and pleasing which I liked. The author's illustrations brought out the deep contrasts between rural and city life. I believe this retelli...more
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Ward's fine art illustration style draws out the irony of the town mouse's boasts about city life even before the country mouse leaves home. As should be true for Aesop's familiar fables, we see the message coming a mile away but the illustrations provide a fresh look. The virtues of the bucolic are never countered with drawbacks of living in the sticks, however, and the lesson--as they usually do--feels hypocritical.
Lu, the discussion below says this book was ineligible for Caldecott. Is that...more
Lu, the discussion below says this book was ineligible for Caldecott. Is that...more
Never has there been such a beautiful example of this Aesop Fable. This is the classic tale of the county mouse who is happy in the simplicity of the country until his cousin from the city comes to visit with his claims of the wonders there. The country mouse goes to visit, discovering things like elevators, electric lights, and enormous banquets. But when they are both chased by a city pet, in this case a little dog, the country mouse realizes that while the city is fast-moving and filled with...more
This has been lauded for its pictures, delicate watercolors that bring to mind Jerry Pinckney. But at times the perspectives confused me. If they were meant to make me feel the displacement the country mouse feels, well then I suppose they succeeded, But it didn't make me feel comfortable within the story. So for me, despite the beauty of the art, its attention to detail (art deco teapot and elevator casing, berries and grass finely drawn), it didn't work as well as I wanted it to.
The town mouse and the country mouse take a walk in each other's shoes in this beautifully illustrated version of Aesop's fable. Artwork gives readers a mouse-eye view of a city at Christmas and a field of fresh-fallen snow. Each page is absolutely breathtaking. The colors and the imagery give the reader a warm, fuzzy feeling. Great read aloud! Even if you have read every version that exists of this tale, read this version, you will not be disappointed :)
Helen Ward sets her retelling of the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse in 1930s New York City during Christmas. While this is an interesting variation, it is Helen's illustrations that make the book a masterpiece. Exquisite details, interesting mouse-eye views, and vibrant colors can be found on every page. These breath-taking illustrations make Helen Ward's retelling worthy of any child's library.
town mouse country mouseTown Mouse, Country Mouse by Helen Ward: Now, there are a zillion* different editions of this story out there, but Helen Ward’s vivid and detailed illustrations set this one apart. It also focuses on the country mouse, while most versions tell the story from both points of view.
* An approximation
* An approximation
PreS/K - Gr2
Ward has a knack for retelling these tales in spare words. The language choice might bump up the age level to K. Gorgeous illustrations. I love her hare and tortoise story. This one is set in NYC in the 1930s. Published by Templar books, a division of Candlewick Press.
Ward has a knack for retelling these tales in spare words. The language choice might bump up the age level to K. Gorgeous illustrations. I love her hare and tortoise story. This one is set in NYC in the 1930s. Published by Templar books, a division of Candlewick Press.
Not a new story, but merely a retelling and re-illustrating of a classic. Helen Ward's artwork is a feast for the senses, and so full of color; lavish artwork that leaves you feeling as contented as that adorable country mouse...and also wanting to seek out more of her books!
Not a new story, but merely a retelling and re-illustrating of a classic. Helen Ward's artwork is a feast for the senses, and so full of color; lavish artwork that leaves you feeling as contented as that adorable country mouse...and also wanting to seek out more of her books!
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations. The animals, plants & foods are very realistic looking; I especially thought the little pug dog was cute as a button. Too bad this book is ineligible for a Caldecott Award; maybe it will be selected for a Greenaway Award.
Beautiful beautiful illustrations, and text is brief enough for reading at preschool storytime. As someone who jumps on tables when mice are about, I will say that the illustrations of the two mice in the apartment sent shivers up my spine.
Feb 13, 2013
Sandy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
circle-story,
concepts,
curiosity,
family,
multi-age,
nature,
opposites,
pb-fiction,
traditional-tale
Aesop's familiar tale takes on an almost mystic quality with Ward's illustrations and minimal text. The images can be returned to time and again to always discover something newer and richer than the time before.
I have read several versions of this classic Aesop tale, this version is one of my favorites. The bright beautiful illustrations really enhance the story of these two mice from very different regions and ways of life.
Gorgeous!!! Lyrical text, and lush watercolors filled with details. Shiny gold cover. A hint of Christmas. The cat is replaced by a moody pug in this version. Loved this book so much.
I think this is my favorite version of this classic fable with its gorgeous illustrations and poetically written classic, set in a 1930s-era city at Christmastime.
WOW! A beautiful retelling of the classic Aesop's fable. City setting in NYC in the 1930's, Christmastime (another plus for me). English illustrator. LOVELY!!
Helen Ward's water color illustrations in this retelling of the Aesop's fable are gorgeous!! This is one of the prettiest covers I have seen in a long time.
A gorgeously illustrated and poetically written classic, set in a 1930s-era city at Christmastime
Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangerous dogs! Helen Ward’s 1930s New York at Christmas is at once gorgeous and frighteningly busy. In the end the reader understan...more
Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings . . . and dangerous dogs! Helen Ward’s 1930s New York at Christmas is at once gorgeous and frighteningly busy. In the end the reader understan...more
Beautiful illustrations and a simpy retelling of the story. I could see me using this in storytime someday. :)
One word describes this book:Beautiful! Beautiful illustrations and beautiful language and storytelling.
Beautiful illustrations and the story is simple enough to share with preschoolers. I like this retelling.
Breathtaking with beautiful language but clear and simple enough for storytime.
A gorgeous retelling of Aesop's classic fable.
Simply wonderful illustrations!
Gorgeous, a feast for the eyes!
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Helen Ward won the first Walker Prize for Children’s Illustration and twice won the British National Art Library Award. She has also been short-listed for the 2003 Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in Gloucestershire, England.
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