If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Not just for kids

I bought this book after referring to it at work and realizing that none of my co-workers had read it. As this was a classic from my childhood, I was a bit flabbergasted. I shared it with them, and now have it sitting on my desk as a reminder of thinking through a scenario from end-to-end. I'm in the software industry, and it's a simple but effective illustration of the fact that it's not just enough to give your customers a feature: you have to think about what they'll do with it when they get it. The lessons in the book are ones adults need to be reminded of too, not just ones for kids.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ahhhh.....the mouse and the cookie!

This book is a favorite in my house. I hope my grandson will enjoy reading it one day.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

If you buy this book for a three year old...

You will read it in the living room.

If you read it in the living room, you will probably read it in the dining room.

If you read it in the dining room, you will probably read it at nap time.

And if you read it at naptime, you will probably read it at bed time.

And chances are, if you read it at bed time, you will read it a second time. :)

Our three year old great-niece LOVES this book and the "If you give a cat a cupcake" book. She pretty much picks one of the two a few times each week for us to read to her at nap and bedtime. The pictures are great, and allow us to go "outside" the story and look for items, and when he is drawing - colors of crayons and counting things in the pictures and other learning activities while reading the book. Other than that and the educational value of learning that choices come with consquences, this doesn't have much "educational" value - it isn't a counting book or have a deep moral story. But, it is a very beautiful book and when our great-niece outgrows it, it will go on my art book shelf.

So, if you buy this book, chances are you will enjoy it and the little one you buy it for will also enjoy it - again, and again.

:)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Mouse Asks, the Boy Gives, and the Chase Is On!

Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond have teamed up on several children's stories. Many people will tell you that this is their favorite in the series. I slightly prefer When You Give a Moose a Muffin, but you'll have to decide for yourself by reading them both. Having had two sons, I always found them most delightful when they were the most physically worn out. Oh, if only I had had this mouse to keep them occupied! The boy is sitting in his front yard eating a cookie. He spies a mouse, and gives the mouse a little bite. This is a forward mouse, though, and he asks if he might have a glass of milk to go with the cookie. The boy takes him inside and obliges. Then the mouse inquires about having a straw. The boy finds him one. Then the mouse requests a napkin. That means that he is concerned about having a milk mustache. So the mouse wants a mirror to check. While looking in the mirror, he notices that his whiskers need some trimming. He requests some nail scissors from the boy. Considerately, he then wants a broom to sweep up. But if you're going to sweep in one area, you might as well do many. While you're at it, the floors could use a good washing. That makes the mouse tired, so he needs a nap. The boy makes him a little bed out of a box and a tiny blanket and pillow. But the mouse cannot sleep without a story. Seeing the pictures, the mouse thinks what fun it would be to make some pictures. Paper and crayons must be obtained! After the picture is done, he must naturally have a pen to sign his name. Then, the boy has to get some Scotch tape so that the picture can go on the refrigerator. Then, of course, you get thirsty from all that activity. You get some milk from the refrigerator . . . and of course, it's a good idea to have a cookie. And off we go again!! The contrast between the increasingly exhausted looking boy, and the sprightly mouse make for much good humor. Also, the boy is better at getting things for the mouse than putting them away, so the house is soon filled with messy piles of what the mouse wanted . . . sort of mouse droppings as it were. The absurdity of a tiny mouse running a boy ragged is quite hilarious to youngsters. By reading the book faster and faster, you can add a note of semi-hysteria that increases the fun. The words are easy to follow, and closely track the illustrations. Children can easily begin to memorize the story, decode the words, fill in the blanks, and later begin to read aloud to you (first from memory, and later in reality). The book is beautifully illustrated in a semi-Dr. Seuss style by Felicia Bond that adds much to the enjoyment. One thing I like about the story is that it gets into how one thing can lead to another. That's one of the best ways to stimulate intelligence and imaginative thinking. It is also good for problem solving later in life. Now, where did all these mouse whisker shavings come from? What caused them? After you have had fun with this story as written, you might want to have a little more fun with your child or grandchild and occasionally change one of the words. For example, when the mouse wants a napkin, you might substitute 'd

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I love this book

It was my favorite book as a child. I now work with kids and i plan on reading this to my class.

Highly Recommend A must read book and series

My son who is 4 1/2 LOVES all of these books. He has the whole series. This book is simple, straight forward and funny. Just got him If You Give A Dog A Donut. Can't wait to see what happens in that book. I'm sure he will love it.

I loved this book!!!

I had it when I was in Kindergarden. I'm 23 now.

a child's classic !

highly recommended!!
given as a bay shower gift

Great Book

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff, is a wonderful story I read growing up. The story begins in front of a young boys house when he crosses paths with a wandering mouse dressed in denim overalls and offers the rodent a cookie. From there the reader is taken on an adventure through the day, experiencing what happened after the mouse ate the cookie. This is a great book for reading aloud to children being introduced to books, or silent reading for first and second graders. The illustrations by Felicia Bond also do an amazing job. Her intricate detail coerces the reader into seeing what the boy sees. When it comes to younger readers, pictures can be everything. It is the pictures, especially the cover, that first catch a students' eye and makes them want to read on, and this book does not disappoint. This book is also very versatile. In previous lessons I have had students write predictions on what they think the mouse will ask for next, and in other classes I have also had students write their own version of the book, deciding what they think the mouse would ask for. A book such as this has endless possibilities for activities. Another suggested activity to use when reading this book might include having your class bake cookies to eat while the book is being read, making their own mouse ears to wear during read aloud time. A teacher could also incorporate a lesson revolving around what mice actually eat and do, depending on your students' grade level. This is a timeless classic that children of all ages will love. With the whimsical depictions of a mouse acting like a human, and the humorous things the mouse asks for next will keep the students engaged and hold their attention right to the very end. Picture books are not hard to come by today, but books which keep your students interested and engaged from start to finish is. Not only will this book accomplish the above, it will have your students clambering in line to read the other editions such as If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, both of which are just as good as the original.

A cute story-

These stories are the best. I read all of these stories to my class room as well as my own children. They have a cute rhyme to them and the illustrations are so adorable! You will love to read these books. This follows the journey of the mouse and what happens if you give the mouse a cookie, what will he want next. All because you gave the little mouse a cookie. Your children or students will beg you to read this story again and again! It is such a cute story and so are the others-

Adorable & Clever

This is one of my daughter's favorites -- and mine as well. My 15 month old loves pointing out the objects and characters in the pictures and the illustrations are vivid and very colorful. The story is adorable - definitely one my daughter will come to appreciate even more as she gets older.

A classic for you child's collection

A fun read (and re-read). My daughter (3) and son (11 months) love it. A must have. Check out the rest of the series also.

for ANY age a must read

Just very funny and true, about human nature. Beguiling pictures of both mouse and boy and simple memorable words. It makes you wish you had a mouse to give a cookie to. A wonderful gift for any age and sex.

Good book

My child enjoys this book.

This is a wonderful short book for any small child. I have always enjoyed it and have purchased it several times now for gifts for friends as they have had children.

This is one of the books that will always be on my bookshelf and ready to pull out when the kids come over. It is just a cute, fun book that children and adults alike love. It is just adorable and now there are some stuffed animal mice like the mouse in the story at Kohls to go along with the book to support I believe St. Jude's Children's Hospital (I am not sure that is the correct charity), but when purchasing this most recently for my great niece she really loved the mouse to accompany the book.

I very much recommend it, especially for younger children, who will then pull it out and read it again later in life when they need a good laugh (or at least I do).

Read along friendly for toddlers

This book as well as every book in the series is great for reading along with your toddler. I read it with my toddler and leave off the last word on every page and he finishes the sentences. He loves it and I love seeing him so engaged and having fun with reading!

My kindergartener (now first grader) LOVES this book!!!

This is one of the cutest books I've found for my little one. He really enjoys it, and it was on his school's Reading Counts list, so it required him to think more than usual as well. The little mouse in the story is so cute, he's unforgettable!!! A definite MUST for any young reader's library (or, in my case, too, a future kindergarten teacher's library!)!!!!

Fun book!

My grandsons enjoy this book a lot. It's usually included in the ones they pick out for me to read to them.

Another hit from LJ Numeroff

This little series provides children and adults who read aloud with a bit of silliness, delightful illustrations and gentle humor, great for ending the day or taking a little one's mind off something less pleasant. The mouse begins with a cookie, and in small increments the story expands page by page. An easy read that children will want to hear again and again. If you're only buying one, though, consider "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" first.

Great Book!

Daughter is only 22 months old, but loves for you to read this book!