Mouse Practice

by Emily Arnold McCully

Monk the little mouse learns from his parents that practice is the way to succeed--whether it is in playing baseball or in playing music

Genres: Picture Books, Baseball, Fiction, Animals, Music, Childrens

1 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monk is asked to help out in a baseball game but he doesn't do very well because he doesn't have a lot of experience yet. He practices at home and with a lot of persistence he is able to improve. He returns to the big kids playing baseball and is able to pitch for the team.

Overall, I like the illustrations. The font used for the text isn't great but it is readable. I like the themes of persistence and humor in the book.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monk loves baseball, he just hasn’t learned to play very well yet, even when the older boys give him a chance. He decides he’ll practice, but his folks aren’t much help (they don’t know the game either.) The practice pays off, though and the next time he plays, the boys are duly impressed.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children absolutely adore this book. Reading literature is so important to the development of a child's mind, and I cannot think of thing I would rather do then sit down to read to them in the evenings. Imagination and growth are so vital in those so young.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baseball...of course we love to find books about baseball. My older boys are huge into ball and so little Mr. loves anything he can do , find, or study on the subject. Mom loves this story too!

Mouse practice is about a small little mouse who gets asked to play with the big kids but just is no good. They tell him when he grows up come back and he can play. Little mouse goes home and practices. Mom and Dad try to help but they aren't any good at ball either. He doesn't give up though he finds ways like tying a ball to the tree, and throwing tennis balls at a target and Little Mouse gets good! He goes and shows the big kids HE CAN play ball! Way to go Little Mouse!!

[Msjennifers Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little mouse wants to play baseball with the big mice but he is not quite ready. He isn't very good and while they aren't mean to him they do let him know that he should probably come back when he is a little bigger. The little mouse goes home and practices every skill he needs and goes back and plays with the big mice.

The message of this book is timeless. If you practice you will improve. Great lesson for little children. I tried to read this for story time and it didn't translate very well. The kids just didn't get what was going on. It is much better suited for children who can read it on their own. Boys will especially like it with the baseball theme.

[Mary]

This is a great book to read in the beginning of the year. We talk a lot about how we have to try, try, and try again. We're not allowed to say "I can't". We have to say "I'm trying, I need help, or can you please show me how to do this." The children catch me saying "I can't". Mouse Practice would be a good story starter for writing in kindergarten and first grade.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autographed by the author as follows:
For Carol (drawing of a little mouse) Emily Arnold McCully June 2004

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Monk finally gets a chance to play baseball, it doesn’t go well. He practices and impresses the bigger mice. The band plays for his team as well.