Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details

Mouse Was Mad (by Linda Urban)

common sense media says

Great book for teaching little ones about managing anger.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book presents a wonderful opportunity to talk with kids about anger and how to handle it.

Positive messages: Though the characters are animals, their actions and relationships support the idea that what is the right solution for one may not be right for another.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Mouse Was Mad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about things that make them angry, how that feels, and what they do about it. Do you feel more like roaring or stomping? Or do you just get quiet and calm yourself down? What works for one person may not work for another. What helped the little mouse? What works for you? What doesn't?

What's the story?

What's the story?
As the red block letters on the cover spelling the word "MAD" get larger and larger, the little mouse's anger grows, and he tries to find ways to express himself. Like various animals around him, he hops, stomps, screams, and rolls around. Nothing works for him, until finally he discovers a way all his own.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The story, as well as the watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations by Henry Cole, are cute and funny, filled with the kind of light-hearted playfulness that young kids especially enjoy. Kids will catch on quickly to the repetitive scenario, as the angry little mouse tries to hop like the kangaroo or stomp like the bear and so on, and they will be ready for a hearty laugh when the hopping and stomping lands the little mouse over and over in the "mucky mud puddle."

What his problem was, and whether the mouse actually solves his anger issue, or just gets past it, is unclear, but he does feel better in the end. His anger has dissolved as most anger does over time. The lesson, if there really is one, is a little obscure, but that hardly matters. All the animals, especially the angry little mouse, with their big eyes and expressive faces, are adorable. And how each solves his anger problem is part of the game, and makes for a fun and entertaining read that is sure to get a warm-hearted laugh.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Linda Urban
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: May 4, 2009
Number of pages: 40
Hardcover price: $16.00
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 6

This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 
 

Review It

 

Review Mouse Was Mad





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read Mouse Was Mad?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age