HOW TO CATCH A MOUSE

Clemmie is an intrepid and vigilant mouse catcher. The adorable ginger kitten has carefully honed her hunting and chasing skills through relentless training. Don’t be fooled by that exuberant yarn play; it’s a huntress at work. Yes, Clemmie would be very proud indeed to say that she has never ever seen a mouse in her house.
Problematically, however, Clemmie has never actually seen a mouse. Period. Gathering her knowledge from books, the little kitten stalks from page to page, pouncing at wispy pink (hat) “tails” and round (stuffed panda) ears. Meanwhile, a ridiculously disguised mouse saunters in the background, leaving the kitten none the wiser. But never fear! A true mouse catcher will always find a way to catch her prey, even if it means taking a leaf out of her target’s book.
How to Catch a Mouse by Philippa Leathers is a charmingly playful picture book read. Observant young children will enjoy tracking the little mouse’s stealthy appearances throughout the story. Share with cat lovers and other pet fans. For other great feline reads, check out Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, There Are Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwarz, and Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman. Continue the cat and mouse chase with Ed Vere’s Max the Brave and Ellen Stoll Walsh’s classic Mouse Paint.
Ages 4+

MRS. NOODLEKUGEL-- BABYSITTER FOR HIRE

 

Nick and Maxine are naturally curious about the little house next to their high-rise apartment building.  When they decide to pay a visit to the sweet lady next door, they discover that she has some lively characters living with her.  Nick and Maxine are surprised with the day's events but when they return home, their parents have an even bigger surprise for them. 
For more Mrs. Noodlekugel adventures, reserve a copy of Daniel Pinkwater's Mrs. Noodlekugel and Four Blind Mice today. 

For 3rd grade and older. 

MICE WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD

Imagine a world where mice run everything. It really is only a matter of time, if you believe the story told in MOUSENET by Prudence Breitrose. This is a story about a young girl named Megan who's helped her uncle develop the world's smallest computer - the "Thumbtop." When the network of mice find out about a computer small enough to fit in their mouse holes, they will stop at nothing to get their paws on one! You can learn more about the underground, online mouse network at http://www.mousenet.org/.

For grades 5-8. JULY 2012

“HE WAS THE BEST OF TOMS. HE WAS THE WORST OF TOMS.”

From former Children's Librarian now manager of the Casa Verdugo and Grandview Branch Librarian, Katherine:

Skilley is a street-wise tom cat looking for a ready meal and a warm bed.  When he hears Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub is overrun with mice, he knows he’s found his home.  An unlikely partnership gives him plenty of food and a good reputation with the pub’s owner and customers, many of them notable 19th century British authors.  It’s the perfect life until Pinch, a vicious tom cat, also comes to live at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.  The Cheshire Cheese Cat; a Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright , though filled with secrets and revenge, is a heartwarming tale of strength in numbers and friendship overcoming adversity.  Barry Moser’s black and white illustrations are a perfect companion to this wonderful story.
For grades 4 and up.

A BEDTIME FOR BEAR

Katherine from Pacific Park likes:

Author Bonny Becker delivers again with another wonderful installment in the Bear and Mouse series. This perfect bedtime story infuses beautiful watercolor illustrations, lessons of caring and sharing, and good old-fashioned humor. In A Bedtime for Bear, light sleeper Bear “invites” boisterous Mouse for a sleepover. At first Bear has trouble sleeping with Mouse’s distractions, then finds actual silence is not all it’s cracked up to be.

For Preschool – 2nd grade.

TUMTUM AND NUTMEG

Mice are such tidy creatures. Who knew that they were so helpful around the homes where they stow away in the walls? They don't like to stray far from their homes, and become very nervous when faced with such adventures. But Tumtum and Nutmeg, a happily married mouse couple, live simple lives, eat lots of delicious food, and take all their adventures in stride. TUMTUM & NUTMEG: ADVENTURES BEYOND NUTMOUSE HALL by Emily Bearn

is a collection of three adventures the mice lead while living in their cozy cottage. For lovers of animal stories in the 2nd-6th grades.

BOBBY AND HIS BEAGLE

Bobby loves his dog Lucy, an energetic Beagle who barks and plays with him all the time. But Bobby does NOT love that he has to go back to school because he is very shy, and worries no one will want to talk to him. When the teacher announces the class will be doing oral reports, Bobby cringes in fear as does his friend Shawn, who is just as shy as he is. But Bobby soon learns that everyone wants to listen when he talks about his dog Lucy. LOOK AT LUCY by Ilene Cooper is a great story for early readers ready for the next step in reading. For 2nd-4th grades.

LILLY'S BIG DAY

LILY’S BIG DAY (El Gran Dia de Lily)
This time Lilly’s becomes very excited to become the flower girl for her teacher and the school nurse, until her parents inform her that since he hasn’t asked, that probably won’t happened. A niece of her teacher named Ginger has been chosen to become the flower girl which it makes Lilly both sad and mad. The book teaches a wonderful lesson in coping with something that sometimes doesn’t go according to the way everyone expect it. Kindergarten, ages 4-8. Spanish edition written by Kevin Henkes, translated by Maria Candelaria Posada.

A CAT'S LIFE IN EAST L.A.

Chato is a hungry “low-riding” cat from East Los Angeles, whose new neighbors are a family of tasty mice. At first, the mice are afraid of Chato, but he pretends to be friendly and invites the family to dinner. Chato and his equally hungry friend Novio Boy are delighted that so many mice are coming to be their dinner and they prepare a huge fancy feast to accompany the main course. Both cats are very surprised at the mice family's special guest! CHATO'S KITCHEN by Gary Soto does a wonderful job of integrating the multilingual heritage of Chato and the other characters throughout the book. Especially helpful is the glossary at the front of the book, explaining certain Spanish words that appear at various times in the book, and also describes some of the food Chato and Novio Boy prepare for the feast. A great story for 2nd - 4th grades .