Mice Make Trouble

by Pascal Biet (Illustrator), Becky Bloom

The magical colored pencils come in a box that has a very clear warning: "Do not draw dangerous or mischievous animals".

But Henry can't read yet. Before anyone can stop him, he draws six mice that are slightly misshapen, along with a hedgehog. And then they come to life, reaping havoc in the playroom.

How Henry draws himself into -- and out of -- this artistic pickle makes for a riotously illustrated and drolly told adventure in creativity.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little nervous when I started reading this book because there are a lot of words on the first couple of pages. I wasn't sure if the book would hold Alena's attention. Fortunately, the rest of the book has just the right amount of words and fun illustrations. I really like that Henry draws imperfect mice with his magic pencils and that they make a big fun mess. It's cute that the well-drawn hedgehog is nice. Henry's solution of drawing a teacher mouse who gets everything under control works.

[Ashley Dement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Mice Make Trouble! Visually it was very appealing and I felt that the pictures were appropriate for young school aged children and that they would appreciate them too. It also had end pages that were decorated with pictures of mice playing which was enjoyable. I found the idea of a magic crayon box, which made anything Henry drew come to life, very appealing. I thought that this book had good literary value because the main character and the struggles he faced were something that children could relate to. In the story, a young boy found himself in a overwhelming situation that he just could not handle alone so he did the right thing and called on a person of authority, in this case a teacher, to help him. This shows students that it is okay to ask for help when you need it and that your teacher is someone that they can trust to be there for them, which makes this lesson very valuable.

[Sean]

Genre: Picture Book

Age Level: early/transitional

World View: white, middle class

Theme: magic and consequences

Literary Elements: the text pauses, and questions the reader at times. this gives an effect that the narrator is speaking directly to the reader, and not just "about" something. Good use of adjectives, nothing is plain, or put in the story without some detail.

In the Classroom: The students could draw and animal or object of their choice that they would want to come alive, and describe it in the greatest detail they could, practicing their knowledge of adjectives and descriptive words.

Illustrations: reinforce the text, and the paint (looks like watercolors) jumps outside of the lines to create an intended sense of chaos and pandemonium when needed. bright, fun, and entertaining images that detail the characters very well.

[Msjennifers Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this one on the shelves of the library and since I was having a mouse themed program gave it a shot. It is the story of a little boy who takes his sisters "magic" colored pencils and draws things that then come to life. Soon his room is filled with mischief making come to life drawings. He figures a way to wrangle them in though in the end.

This book was very cute. It could have been fleshed out a bit more and I'm not sure if the boy learned his lesson that he shouldn't take other people's things but overall the kids liked it very much.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very charming book about some magical colored pencils that bring whatever you draw to life. A little boy pilfers them from his older sister and then proceeds to draw some mice on his walls (none of them quite right in his estimation). The mice come alive and cause a great deal of ruckus. How does the little boy bring them under control? By drawing a mouse teacher of course!

Excellent illustrations.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, cute little story. Creative concept.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the order of by Judith Hilde Gilliland.
Great imagination, creativity or artistic book for preschool or early elem crowd.

[Jennifer Bogdanowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so imaginative, the illustrations great and the kids really loved it over and over and over and over again.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A box of magic pencils can lead to a lot of trouble when they get in the hands of some mischievous mice. What will Henry do to stop these mice from wrecking his room?

[Rachel Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. I love that the teacher comes in at the end and solves all the problems. It's a good imagination book.

[D Nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letter M

Fun!