Review: There's a Mouse Hiding In This Book! by Benjamin Bird

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

This Tom and Jerry interactive picture book holds a surprise on each page! Where is Jerry hiding? On the title page, on the back cover, or somewhere in between? Little readers will howl with delight each time they open the covers and try helping Tom find the mischievous mouse. Perfect for storytime.
A light, quirky "meta-fictional" picture book series using the well known, timeless characters of Tom and Jerry. Young readers will whoop with delight at the story and artwork, but parents and caregivers will also appreciate the humorous and gentle introduction to the process of reading and the parts of the book.

MY TAKE:
It's been awhile since I've watched a Tom and Jerry cartoon. It's nice to see that they are still popular enough to star in a children's book.

In There's a Mouse Hiding In This Book!, readers are invited to help Tom catch Jerry. Tom instructs the reader to do things like turn the page slowly or quickly in order for him to get Jerry.

This book was so much fun to read aloud precisely because it broke the fourth wall. Words were emphasized so you can apply the proper emphasis if you're reading aloud to a child. The instructions also allow kids to take part in the story and hold the book's pages instead of just passively reading along.

The book is true to the nature of the characters, that is, for the most part, Jerry gets the best of Tom. I'm not too sure about the ending because I don't think that it's something Jerry would actually do, but it was a great way to get young readers to finish reading the book by themselves.

Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone Young Readers for the e-ARC. Publication date of There's a Mouse Hiding In This Book! is on September 1, 2014.

THE GOOD:

1. Readers actively participate in the story.
2. The characters are true to form.
3. It's fun to read aloud.

THE BAD:

1. There's not enough of Jerry in the book (obviously because he is hiding).

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

DAGNABIT!
THAT PESKY PEST IS TOO QUICK!
This time, count to three.
Then turn the page as fast as you can!

READ IT IF:

1. You like books that are fun to read aloud.
2. Your child likes books that are interactive.
3. Your child likes Tom and Jerry.

RATING:


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