(Fantasy)
Author: Beverly Cleary
Title: The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Publisher: Avon Books Date: 1965
Age level: Elementary (3-4)
Summary:
Keith and his parents have stopped at an old hotel in California where they will be staying for a few days. A curious mouse lives in the knothole in Keith’s room, and while the family is away he tries to ride Keith’s toy motorcycle. The bike and the mouse, named Ralph, both fall off the desk into the wastepaper basket, where Ralph is sure the end is near. When Keith returns he finds Ralph and befriends him. As the story unfolds, Ralph is destined to many adventures with and without the motorcycle. Is he really ready for that type of responsibility?
Strengths:
This book combines adventure and interaction with animals- two things children love. It is a really entertaining book that is simple to read. There are a lot of concepts that are easy to relate to in this book, and children will learn from it. There are some really great themes throughout the book as well.
Concerns:
At some points, the book drags slightly. It seems that some of the ideas are drawn out too far, and take too long to get through. That may be due in part to my age, I’m sure a young child would not notice.
Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to have in a reading corner, or to allow the students to read during free time. They could create a very interesting book report from it. It could also be used if there is a class pet somewhere in the school (that is a mouse) and to talk about what it would be like if these things could actually happen.
Author: Beverly Cleary
Title: The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Publisher: Avon Books Date: 1965
Age level: Elementary (3-4)
Summary:
Keith and his parents have stopped at an old hotel in California where they will be staying for a few days. A curious mouse lives in the knothole in Keith’s room, and while the family is away he tries to ride Keith’s toy motorcycle. The bike and the mouse, named Ralph, both fall off the desk into the wastepaper basket, where Ralph is sure the end is near. When Keith returns he finds Ralph and befriends him. As the story unfolds, Ralph is destined to many adventures with and without the motorcycle. Is he really ready for that type of responsibility?
Strengths:
This book combines adventure and interaction with animals- two things children love. It is a really entertaining book that is simple to read. There are a lot of concepts that are easy to relate to in this book, and children will learn from it. There are some really great themes throughout the book as well.
Concerns:
At some points, the book drags slightly. It seems that some of the ideas are drawn out too far, and take too long to get through. That may be due in part to my age, I’m sure a young child would not notice.
Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to have in a reading corner, or to allow the students to read during free time. They could create a very interesting book report from it. It could also be used if there is a class pet somewhere in the school (that is a mouse) and to talk about what it would be like if these things could actually happen.
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