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Can I Come Too?
A very small mouse sets out to find something special―the biggest creature in the world.
Along her journey, she meets a menagerie of animals who want to join her in her quest, including a frog, a badger, and a tiger. She visits lakes, rivers, woods, and even climbs a mountain and stops by a zoo. Finally, she arrives at the ocean. Will she finally find the biggest animal of all?
From the world-renowned team of author Brian Patten and illustrator Nicola Bayley, this gentle story is a celebration of the world's wide variety of living creatures. While the poetic text and cumulative tale treatment pull readers along, the gorgeous colored pencil art will have little ones lost in the wonders of the natural world.
Along her journey, she meets a menagerie of animals who want to join her in her quest, including a frog, a badger, and a tiger. She visits lakes, rivers, woods, and even climbs a mountain and stops by a zoo. Finally, she arrives at the ocean. Will she finally find the biggest animal of all?
From the world-renowned team of author Brian Patten and illustrator Nicola Bayley, this gentle story is a celebration of the world's wide variety of living creatures. While the poetic text and cumulative tale treatment pull readers along, the gorgeous colored pencil art will have little ones lost in the wonders of the natural world.
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 16, 2014
British poet Brian Patten and British painter and illustrator Nicola Bayley combine forces in Can I Come Too?, an exquisitely illustrated picture book suitable for the youngest children, in which a tiny but adventurous mouse sets out on a quest to find the biggest creature in the world.
In his gentle and lyrical text, Patten turns to a familiar and beloved pattern for children's books, the cumulative tale, much as P.D. Eastman uses in Are You My Mother or Deborah Guarino uses in Is Your Mama a Llama, to mention just a few. Here, our mouse heroine meets a succession of larger and larger animals, asking each "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" A friendly frog, a rainbow colored kingfisher, a sleepy cat, an otter, a badger, a dog, a goat, and a tiger all admit they're not the biggest creature in the world, but ask politely if they can come along on the adventure. When the story is read aloud, children will enjoy chiming in on the oft-repeated refrain, "Can I come too?" Finally, the motley group of animals, led by our intrepid mouse, meets a polar bear, who knows just where to find the biggest creature in the world. They all follow the polar bear to the ocean, where they encounter an enormous and majestic whale. Satisfied, the sleepy animals spend some time watching the whale frolic in the ocean, and then return home, where Mouse curls up and muses, "I might be tiny, but I've had a very big adventure."
This is a calm and soothing story that would be perfect for bedtime reading for young children; snuggled in a chair or bed an adult and child could not only enjoy the text but also have time to observe the intricacies of Nicola Bayley's meticulously detailed illustrations, rendered in colored pencil. Her style brings to mind celebrated American illustrators such as Michael Hague and Jan Brett.
In his gentle and lyrical text, Patten turns to a familiar and beloved pattern for children's books, the cumulative tale, much as P.D. Eastman uses in Are You My Mother or Deborah Guarino uses in Is Your Mama a Llama, to mention just a few. Here, our mouse heroine meets a succession of larger and larger animals, asking each "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" A friendly frog, a rainbow colored kingfisher, a sleepy cat, an otter, a badger, a dog, a goat, and a tiger all admit they're not the biggest creature in the world, but ask politely if they can come along on the adventure. When the story is read aloud, children will enjoy chiming in on the oft-repeated refrain, "Can I come too?" Finally, the motley group of animals, led by our intrepid mouse, meets a polar bear, who knows just where to find the biggest creature in the world. They all follow the polar bear to the ocean, where they encounter an enormous and majestic whale. Satisfied, the sleepy animals spend some time watching the whale frolic in the ocean, and then return home, where Mouse curls up and muses, "I might be tiny, but I've had a very big adventure."
This is a calm and soothing story that would be perfect for bedtime reading for young children; snuggled in a chair or bed an adult and child could not only enjoy the text but also have time to observe the intricacies of Nicola Bayley's meticulously detailed illustrations, rendered in colored pencil. Her style brings to mind celebrated American illustrators such as Michael Hague and Jan Brett.
February 20, 2021
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
CAN I COME TOO? tells the story of a small mouse who decides to go on a big adventure to find the biggest animal in the world. Featuring realistic and gorgeous illustrations, mouse encounters other animals to find out they are not the biggest in the world, but they accompany the mouse on his adventure. A variety of animals are shown throughout the book, and the simple text makes for a fun story that young children can enjoy.
What I loved: The illustrations are really gorgeous with realistic animals and there is a wide range of animals shown, from a cat and dog to goat and polar bear. The simple story is great for young readers, such as preschoolers and early elementary school aged children. The repetitive text of asking if the next animal is the biggest before saying no but asking to come along makes simplicity fun and young children will like being able to predict what comes next before the animals discover the biggest animal in the world.
Final verdict: With lovely illustrations and a simple story, CAN I COME TOO? encourages young readers that even the smallest can have big adventures.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
CAN I COME TOO? tells the story of a small mouse who decides to go on a big adventure to find the biggest animal in the world. Featuring realistic and gorgeous illustrations, mouse encounters other animals to find out they are not the biggest in the world, but they accompany the mouse on his adventure. A variety of animals are shown throughout the book, and the simple text makes for a fun story that young children can enjoy.
What I loved: The illustrations are really gorgeous with realistic animals and there is a wide range of animals shown, from a cat and dog to goat and polar bear. The simple story is great for young readers, such as preschoolers and early elementary school aged children. The repetitive text of asking if the next animal is the biggest before saying no but asking to come along makes simplicity fun and young children will like being able to predict what comes next before the animals discover the biggest animal in the world.
Final verdict: With lovely illustrations and a simple story, CAN I COME TOO? encourages young readers that even the smallest can have big adventures.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2018
A gorgeous book with beautiful, warm illustrations. A must have for any animal lover. The storyline is lovely about a small mouse in search for a big adventure to find the biggest creature in the world. As the mouse sets off in search, he meets many other creatures with each one getter larger who also join the little mouse to discover the biggest creature in the world.
A big hit with my 5 year old and a keeper too.
A big hit with my 5 year old and a keeper too.
June 19, 2017
A cumulative tale begins when a tiny mouse embarks on a journey to find the largest animal ever. Each time it asks, that animal says No, not the largest, but wants to join the search. For the very youngest, it’s a read aloud to excite the idea of what’s next, and to begin learning about all these animals. Illustrations show nature’s “beasts” at their most beautiful.
July 11, 2021
Mouse goes on a hunt for the biggest animal. As he travels, he is joined by progressively larger animals, who all ask to join in the search. A cute picture book with sweet, realistically drawn illustrations.
May 8, 2023
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful in this book! The story was great and my son enjoyed looking at all the creatures in this book. I highly recommend adding this book to your child’s collection!
August 3, 2023
When a very small mouse sets out in search of the biggest creature in the world, she meets other animals who are just as curious as she is. The small mouse's adventure turns into more than she expected as her quest continues to find the biggest creature in the world.
May 30, 2018
Beautiful illustrations accompany this fun story. I read this book to my grandchildren. They enjoyed the book especially the five year old.
June 13, 2024
3 ⭐️
A very small mouse decided she wanted to have a very big adventure. A mouse meets numerous larger animals, asking each "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" A friendly frog, a rainbow coloured kingfisher, a sleepy cat, an otter, a badger, a dog, a goat, and a tiger all admit they're not the biggest creature in the world, but ask politely if they can come along on the adventure. They encounter an enormous whale. Satisfied, the sleepy animals spend some time watching the whale in the ocean and mouse states "I might be tiny, but I've had a very big adventure.”
- When the story is read aloud, children will enjoy chiming in on the oft-repeated refrain, "Can I come too?"
- This is a calm and soothing story.
- A book that educates children on the different animals they can find in the animal kingdom.
- The coloured pencil illustrations by Nicola Bayley make this book stand out. The colourful illustrations may improve children’s understanding of the different habitats of animals.
- This is a truly sweet story about how one can inspire many to experience things they might never have tried on their own.
- Suitable for key stage 1
- Young readers will easily relate to the urge for adventure and will perhaps agree with the frog, who states "Just because we are small doesn't mean we can't have a big adventure."
- Element of humour as the tiger asks if he can come along "If I promise not to eat anyone..."
A very small mouse decided she wanted to have a very big adventure. A mouse meets numerous larger animals, asking each "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" A friendly frog, a rainbow coloured kingfisher, a sleepy cat, an otter, a badger, a dog, a goat, and a tiger all admit they're not the biggest creature in the world, but ask politely if they can come along on the adventure. They encounter an enormous whale. Satisfied, the sleepy animals spend some time watching the whale in the ocean and mouse states "I might be tiny, but I've had a very big adventure.”
- When the story is read aloud, children will enjoy chiming in on the oft-repeated refrain, "Can I come too?"
- This is a calm and soothing story.
- A book that educates children on the different animals they can find in the animal kingdom.
- The coloured pencil illustrations by Nicola Bayley make this book stand out. The colourful illustrations may improve children’s understanding of the different habitats of animals.
- This is a truly sweet story about how one can inspire many to experience things they might never have tried on their own.
- Suitable for key stage 1
- Young readers will easily relate to the urge for adventure and will perhaps agree with the frog, who states "Just because we are small doesn't mean we can't have a big adventure."
- Element of humour as the tiger asks if he can come along "If I promise not to eat anyone..."
January 24, 2015
In this book a tiny mouse decides that he wants to go on a big adventure and try to find the biggest animal in the world. On his journey he first meets a tiny frog, who asks the mouse of he can come on the journey. The mouse is happy to have somebody accompany him on his journey and explains that just because they are small, it does not mean that they cannot go on an adventure!
The book continues through the journey and the pair meet many animals along the way, all increasing in size but still they have not found this biggest animal in the world! They meet a polar bear - surely they have finally found the biggest creature in the world? But no, the polar bear tells them that he is on his way to see the biggest creature and it lives in the ocean. They all follow the bear to the ocean and they all stare and watch in awe as the biggest creature jumps out of the ocean. Its a whale!
A lovely book that educates children on the different animals they can find in the animal kingdom. I would say this book is suitable for children in key stage 1 and lower key stage 2. Its beautiful pictures would also delight children with SEN or EAL difficulties.
The book continues through the journey and the pair meet many animals along the way, all increasing in size but still they have not found this biggest animal in the world! They meet a polar bear - surely they have finally found the biggest creature in the world? But no, the polar bear tells them that he is on his way to see the biggest creature and it lives in the ocean. They all follow the bear to the ocean and they all stare and watch in awe as the biggest creature jumps out of the ocean. Its a whale!
A lovely book that educates children on the different animals they can find in the animal kingdom. I would say this book is suitable for children in key stage 1 and lower key stage 2. Its beautiful pictures would also delight children with SEN or EAL difficulties.
September 16, 2014
Colored pencil illustrations make this book stand out since the animals and their habitat are drawn in such a vivid way. I could spend hours gazing at the drawings, which cover two pages for each scene. The story itself involves a mouse who sets off on a big adventure in search of the world's biggest animal. Some readers will already guess what it is, but others will wonder if the mouse has found it as she meets up with increasingly large creatures, including a frog, a kingfisher, a cat, and an otter, among others. What is sweetly appealing is how each animal knows there is something larger than it is and denies being what the mouse is seeking. It's sweet to see the animals joining the mouse and setting forth on their quest. For me, the ending was not particularly surprising but the beauty of the animals made the journey worthwhile.
October 6, 2014
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! They have the soft dreamy feel to them that I am such a big fan of. Each of the animals stands out in a beautiful way. The story is sweet too as the mouse leads the animals on a search for the biggest creature in the world. And having company makes the adventure all the more exciting for the mouse. As the mouse asks each animal if he/she is the largest creature in the world they say no and express interest in joining the adventure. The mouse is very welcoming and inspires the others to go on an adventure as well. This is a truly sweet story about how one can inspire many to experience things they might never have tried on their own. A winner all the way around.
November 5, 2014
Can a tiny mouse have a big adventure? Young readers will delight in following this small creature as the mouse seeks to find the largest creature in the world.
The illustrations in this book are just beautiful. They pop off the page and are very detailed and colorful. Children will be introduced to a variety of animals - each becoming successively bigger. A frog, kingfisher, cat, otter, badger, dog, goat, tiger, and polar bear all join in on the journey.
Children will enjoy following along and surely they will ask to have this story read again and again. This book is perfect for bedtime and a great addition to a childs reading library and it also makes a wonderful gift.
The illustrations in this book are just beautiful. They pop off the page and are very detailed and colorful. Children will be introduced to a variety of animals - each becoming successively bigger. A frog, kingfisher, cat, otter, badger, dog, goat, tiger, and polar bear all join in on the journey.
Children will enjoy following along and surely they will ask to have this story read again and again. This book is perfect for bedtime and a great addition to a childs reading library and it also makes a wonderful gift.
September 29, 2014
Lovely picture book about a tiny mouse who wants to see the biggest creature in the world. As she heads out, she invites progressively larger creatures to join her. Children will learn the names of new animals as they listen. The soft, gentle colors in the artwork are gorgeous. The text's gentle rhythm and repetition will help lull young children to sleep. Charming.
November 4, 2014
4.5 stars
Gorgeous, lush illustrations that invite repeated looks, and a gentle story filled with kind animals.
My only complaint is that the whale, as depicted, appears to be a humpback, which is not "the biggest creature." (That would be the blue whale.) Even very young children deserve accuracy!
Gorgeous, lush illustrations that invite repeated looks, and a gentle story filled with kind animals.
My only complaint is that the whale, as depicted, appears to be a humpback, which is not "the biggest creature." (That would be the blue whale.) Even very young children deserve accuracy!
September 27, 2014
This is a sweet book for ECE readers. It contains animals, adventure, and lots of repetition. However, the story starts to feel long after the first few animals have entered into the adventure. The illustrations reminded me of The Mouse, the Strawberry, and the Very Hungry Bear.
October 26, 2014
The ending won't be as much of a surprise to many readers as it was to the animals in the book as most youngsters know that the whale is the largest animal. Soft but colorful illustrations bring in the reader, and do a fair job of showing the perspective sizes.
May 26, 2015
What an absolute delight. The illustrations were mesmerising and pulled you in. The detail was minute and we spent time exploring each scene for ladybugs and more. The story told with simplicity but captivating. Not just a must read, but a must have for any book shelf.
July 12, 2014
This is a cute book about how a small creature and lead and inspire even the biggest creatures.
The picture are nice...very interesting!
The picture are nice...very interesting!
September 26, 2014
Love, love, love the illustrations!
December 7, 2014
A sweet and beautiful read aloud.
January 15, 2015
Super cute, love the art and the story. Would love to do for an animal Storytime.
March 11, 2015
Starting with a small mouse, several animals go on an adventure to find the biggest animal in the world.
August 26, 2015
No matter how small you are, you can still have big adventures and share them with others.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews