Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action

by Caroline Stills, Judith Rossell (Illustrator)

Ten topsy-turvy mice teach simple addition in this charming math picture book. Each spread features an equation showing one way to add up to ten, while the acrobatic mice split into two groups representing the numbers in the sum. 9 mice tidy. 1 mouse somersaults. 9 + 1 = 10. Some mice mop and scrub, while others spin and clown around. 8 mice cook. 2 mice juggle. 8 + 2 = 10. Look out as they swing and tumble! 7 mice wash. 3 mice spin. 7 + 3 = 10. All the mice are busy as they act out different ways to make the same sum.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Counting, Childrens, Nonfiction, Storytime, Animals

24 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

The cover caught my eye. For some reason it reminded me of my beloved 10 Minutes to Bedtime. I hadn't even registered the Math subtitle. I was not previously aware of a need to have books which draw direct parallels between how arithmetic is written and described in words, but if that is a thing you are looking for, in support of the Common Core or just general numeracy, this is a fine choice.

And, as suspected, those little rodents do get up to some interesting shenanigans, so even if you aren't looking for mathiness, you're likely pleased. Thin on plot, though.

Library copy

[Lindsi Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute. My son loved it, Especially looking for the little toy mouse. 🐀

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

In real life this Goodreader doesn't consider mice to be all that adorb. But this book is different. They're like cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys, or some other rowdy team. This book is fun-fun-fun.

Pretty darned fast, readers of all ages can catch on to the premise. Ten highly flexible mice teach simple addition. Each double-page spread reveals an equation, illustrating one way to add up to ten.

With unrelenting creativity, these acrobatic mice form two groups. Take the sum of the numbers in both groups and you'll find a grand way of adding up to 10.

For instance:

- 9 mice swing.
- While 1 mouse polishes.

This book is absolutely delightful. I gladly give it FIVE STARS.

[Victoria Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mice Mischief is a very cute math informational picture book. It is extremely simple text. The first page starts with "10 Mice wake" and the following pages are going through different acts the mice are doing but with factors of 10. For example, "7 mice wash. 3 mice spin. 7+3=10." The last page mirrors the first except the mice are playing instead of waking up. The pictures are silly, colorful, and take up the majority of the space.

[Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I can relate or connect with the Max and Ruby book I read which involves counting to ten starting at 1 but this style shows how we can start with 1 mouse on one side and 9 on the other side and still get ten. Continuing from there it shows going from 8 and 2, 3 and 7, and so on until you have 9 on one side and 1 on the other side again but still having ten. I would recommend this book to the 2nd and 3rd graders.

[Lauren Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a circus coming to the mouse house so it’s time for the ten mice to wake up and begin cleaning. While they cook, clean, play and build the mice show how to use number one through nine to get the sum of ten. On their mission to build a circus they show the reader the different ways to add. This informational math picture book gives the reader a story while learning to add. Each page is filled with vibrant mice and their silly ways to add. The writer doesn’t just provide the written problem but also the numerical problem underneath to show two forms of addition problems.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mice do different chores around the house and always equal 10. This book plays with numbers adding up to ten.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

More about numbers than counting. Goes over sums of numbers that add up to the ten mice on each page. Might be fun with something like sum blox.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple book to read. Each page has two numbers that add up to ten.
Fun illustrations.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I have been known to cause mischief the title pulled me in! clever story and cute illustrations.

[Nicole Sampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book but was kind of all over the place. It wasn't what I expected it would be.

[Kelly Wiegand]

Kelly Wiegand
April 27, 2015
EDL54500 Library Materials for Children and Youth

Title: Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action

Author: Caroline Stills

Plot: This counting book follows a group of ten mice around as they play and do chores.

Setting: There is no particular setting for this book; however, they seem to be at their home.

Characters: Ten Mice

Point-of-View: The story is told in third-person.

Themes: Math; Addition

Style: There is a different combination of ten on each page.

Copyright: 2013

Reflection: This is a fun way to make learning combinations of ten fun. Primary teachers may find this book very helpful and students could create their own books to find various combinations of multiples of ten to extend their learning.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten merry mice bounce across the pages, showing readers the various ways you can use addition to make ten. 9 mice tidy while 1 mouse somersaults. 9 + 1 = 10. 8 mice cook breakfast while 2 mice juggle. 8 + 2 = 10. And so on up to 1 mouse polishes while 9 mice swing. 1 + 9 = 10. The mice wake up in bunk beds, and finally play at the end, after at least some of them doing the necessary chores. Judith Rossell's energetic watercolor illustrations romp across the pages as kindergarteners reinforce Common Core math fact standards. This will be a useful addition to school library collections.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten playful mice demonstrate the many different ways that the numbers from 1 to 9 can add up to 10. Bright illustrations add plenty of appeal, making this a fun book for kindergartners and first graders who need a little extra practice with basic counting and addition. Fits CCSS (per publisher's website).

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Simple addition for sums of ten illustrated with mice. "8 mice cook. 2 mice juggle. 8 + 2 = 10." Best for kindergarten or first grade students. A obvious and simple classroom activity is to have students create their own illustrations, either for mice or for another animal.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and simple explanation of addition but could also easily be used for counting and subtraction. The illustrations are colorful and comfortable. One of the best books for young children incorporation math that I have seen.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for young readers (ECE-K and below) who are learning their numbers and basic addition. They see the math on each page, can count the mice, and can look at the fun and clever pictures. Includes addition only to the number 10 - no intervals between or beyond.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten mice wake and get their home ready for the circus. As they clean and play, these colorful and acrobatic creatures demonstrate how the numbers from 1 to 9 can add up to 10.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy addition book with cute mice. 1+9=10, 2+8=10, etc.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Australian math facts book is cute for preschool and kindergarten.

[Rebecca Saxon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better to read one-on-one with a kid. A cute way to develop addition skills.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Simple way of starting a conversation about addition.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An addition book using math facts equal to 10.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3.5 year old loved counting the mice in this book.

[Rachel]

This small picture book is the perfect informational book for students learning to count 1-9 and add these number to make 10. There is a group of 10 colorful mice that show kids how to count, the book is based around math and addition. This would be a good book for primary teacher to use as it is good for addition and the colorful pages grab your attention.

[Marissa Dougherty]

This math information book is perfect for working with children on how to add up to 10. The story goes on with mice and they each have a certain job. For example 2 mice do one thing and 8 do something else, that makes 10 mice doing something. It is full of math fact adding up to 10.