Frederick
By Mary Dixon Weidler,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartwarming story of mouse with a kind spirit.
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What's the Story?
Frederick the field mouse has the heart of a poet, but how does that help his family prepare for the cold winter? Using his imagination, Frederick memorizes the best of the summer days, and then warms his family with those memories during the cold, gray winter.
Is It Any Good?
Children will appreciate what Frederick teaches his family in this book -- that there is more to life than the basics of food, water, and shelter. And the tale makes kids happy, not only because Frederick contributes something to his family during their hard times but also because the mice don't reject Frederick just because he didn't store any "thing" for the winter. They share their food, he shares stories of warmth and color -- everyone contributes.
Collages of different textures and mediums are used to create the pictures of the field-mouse family. You can almost see the individual kernels of corn on a corncob, while the first snow looks fluffy -- and even cold!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the things that the mice share with one another, and how they nurture one another in different ways. What do the other mice share with Frederick, and what does he share with them in return? How does this make everyone happy?
Book Details
- Author: Leo Lionni
- Illustrator: Leo Lionni
- Genre: Family Life
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Apple
- Publication date: April 1, 1987
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 26
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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