Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-When readers meet Mouse, he is furious. First he is "hopping mad," but expert Hare informs him that he is not hopping properly and shows him the correct moves. On the animated spreads that follow, Bear, Bobcat, and Hedgehog demonstrate how to be "stomping," "screaming," and "rolling-around-on-the ground" mad. However, each time Mouse tries to imitate them, he finds himself sprawled in a mud puddle. It is not until he is "standing-still mad" and none of the others can best his motionless stance that he begins to feel better. Through playful language and expressive watercolors with colored pencil and ink, this story about anger management proves to be both entertaining and therapeutic. Just like the heroine in Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry... (Scholastic, 1999), Mouse finds his own way through his ire and, in the process, may help a few youngsters get a handle on their own.-Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Mouse is mad (for some reason). The other animals are better at hopping, stomping, screaming, and rolling around in anger--making Mouse even madder. In the end, Mouse learns that being himself is the best antidote to a bad mood. Mouse's exaggeratedly furious faces amidst nature's calm are the highlight of this story about individuality and self-expression. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
While never communicating quite what Mouse is mad about at the outset, this charmingly illustrated title takes readers through several possible methods of expressing said anger. Mouse tries to blow off steam by hopping, stomping, screaming and rolling, but in each case, another animal is ready with both a sharp critique and a demonstration of superior skill in the category at hand. Practicing these techniques lands Mouse in increasingly mucky mud puddles. Finally in caked overalls, he is really (times four) mad. "Standing-still mad." This in-character manifestation fairly bedazzles his associates. " 'Impressive,' said Hare. / 'What control,' said Bear. / 'Are you breathing?' asked Hedgehog." Urban unfurls the gentle "be true to yourself" moral perfectly, with plenty of funny dialogue, overplayed reaction and the enduring appeal of the tiny hero. Cole's terrific watercolors reflect Mouse's emotional growth in spreads and spots brimming with movement. Who knew standing still could be so dramatic? Well-pitched for preschoolers just learning social skills, this would be equally excellent for family reading, classrooms and storytimes. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
