The Big Move

Commander in Cheese #1

by Lindsey Leavitt, A.G. Ford (Illustrations)

The Borrowers meets Ratatouille in this new chapter book series about a family of mice who live at the White House!
 
If you are a mouse, then you might know about Ava and Dean Squeakerton. They are kind of famous, for mice. That’s because Ava and Dean and the rest of their family live in the White House.
 
A new president is moving into the White House, and best of all . . . she has kids! That means cool kid treasures for Ava and Dean Squeakerton. Maybe they’ll even find a Lego! There’s only one problem. . . . Sneaking around means Ava and Dean will each have to be as quiet as a . . . mouse. And the Squeakerton siblings aren’t so good at that. But moving day is so busy, nobody would notice two mice searching for toys . . . right?
 
This new chapter book series is sure to thrill readers who love tiny details and big fun. Bonus back matter is filled with tons of cool facts about presidents, the White House, and U.S. history.

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Presidents, Animals

112 pages, Library Binding

First published May 1, 2016

About the author

Lindsey Leavitt is a Leo sun/Sagittarius rising, which makes her skilled at traveling, studying and sleeping in. She grew up in Las Vegas and now lives in the snowy mountains with her big, blended family. She is the author of over fifteen books for kids and teens. Lindsey had an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit her online at https://lindseyleavitt.com

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea more than I liked the book itself. Book had some cute, clever bits and also some parts that just didn't completely make sense or made me roll my eyes a bit (potty humor and such). I also started out thinking this was a bit of a "Borrowers" idea and the mice were just taking things that the humans didn't want... but then for awhile it seemed that the young mice were actually going to steal something special from the president's kid, so that wasn't cool. Fortunately, things end well for all parties. I appreciate the idea of making the White House and the Inauguration a bit more interesting and relatable for kids, and my seven year old really enjoyed the book and has asked for more in the series. PS Props for making the newly elected president a woman.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read with the kids during the presidential election.

[Charlie Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be much more interesting and engrossing than I thought it would be. I'm reading books recommended for children in search of books to give my grandchildren. This book would be for an age-group where the kids can read for themselves, and can sustain interest in a story that has several chapters. Unexpectedly well done, this book, about the mice that live in the White House, is one I would willingly give to someone who could read at this level, say, grade 2-4 or so.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmygosh. So adorable and fun. LOVED!

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun new series about life in the white house from the perspective of a mouse family

[Alice Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice: terrific!
Jenny: good, maybe 3.5 stars. Alice thought several parts were funny and suspenseful.

[Cristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two little mice named Ava and Dean Squeakerton are two little mice that love an adventure. They are excited that there is going to be a new president and she had two children. They know that this means that they will have cool kid treasures. They have to sneak around and be as quiet as a mouse, which should be easy since they are mice. This proves harder than one might think. I would recommend this for any collection looking for cute stories for children who love animals and are just starting to read chapter books. This is the first in the series. The illustrations are clear and depict the characters in a number of different situations.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As newly-inaugurated President Caroline Abbey prepares to move into the White House with her family's possessions, the resident mice are all in a tizzy over the changes and possibilities with a new family of political inhabitants. Young mice Ava and Dean Squeakerton are thrilled to discover that the new President has two children, and one of them loves Legos. Even though they know better, they slip into the family rooms and explore all the unopened boxes. But when they are spotted by human eyes, they might not be able to make their way back home to safety. Although this book, part of a new series, is intended for young readers, I really liked how the author tucked interesting bits of information about former Presidents into the story, and I also liked that there was FINALLY a woman President in the White House. It is interesting to think how hectic the moving out of one Presidential family and the moving in of another must be. Second, third, or fourth graders should enjoy the antics of these toy-loving mice.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book all about adventure, bravery, perseverance, presidents and siblings (who were mice!). What more could you ask for?! Not much, I will admit. I enjoyed how this book centered around mice in the White House and the journey that Dean and Ava went on. The journey these siblings went on will not only make the reader smile, and wonder how they will get out of whatever predicament they are in, but this journey will enable the reader to understand the bond of siblings; among a variety of other things. I also appreciated how this book provided a variety of information about presidents; there were some made up factoids, about what the mice over the years had found that belonged to the presidents, and then some additional factual information was provided that allowed the reader to learn more about the presidents throughout history. This was a very entertaining book that educated the reader a little bit along the way. A fun read for sure!

[Ms. Garr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade 2 and up (younger for read-aloud); timely and short chapter book about a brother and sister mouse who are part of a large mouse family that have lived in the White House for many generations; at the start of this story the siblings go on a little adventure on the day the newest president is inaugurated. This new president just happens to follow President Obama - and is the first female president! Easy to follow story that will likely appeal to girls and boys, with a bit of history and facts about the presidency sprinkled throughout and also in a special section at the of the book. This story -the first in a new series- is a good choice for this election season and upcoming inauguration. At the Chandler Library.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an ARC of this first in a planned series. In this story, the mouse brother and sister have exciting and funny adventures as a new president moves into their home, which happens to be the White House. The book is enhanced by several pages of facts about US Presidents and their inaugural activities.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excited for this new series. It reminds me just a bit of The Littles, but with a new spin - the diminutive characters are mice living in the White House.
Love that Obama makes a cameo and he person serving after Obama is a woman!

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long but fun. Very very funny. My favorite part of the book was when the airplane didn't work. It was pretty silly!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for 2nd and 3rd grade booktalks.

[Chantele Sedgwick]

Adorable. My kids LOVED it. Loved all the facts about past presidents in the White House! So fun. Starting book 2!

[Jasmine]

Does what it's trying to do-- invent a mouse society that lives in the walls-- well. Now I want a book about the Littles that live at the White House. Littles are better than mice.

[Leslienorvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great tool to teach my son about the President in a way that was fun.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follows the adventures and mishaps of a sibling mice who live in the White House.