Little Mouse's Big Secret
Mouse is excited to find a small red fruit and decides to keep it a secret, burying it in the ground. Bird is the first to ask what he’s hiding. “It’s my secret and I’ll never tell,” Mouse answers. Turtle, Hedgehog, Rabbit, and Frog ask in turn what Mouse is hiding, and his reply is always the same. But something does change with each turn of the page in this beautifully designed picture book: A seed inside the fruit Mouse buried sprouts and begins to grow. A seedling becomes a small tree that grows branches, sparse leaves become a full green canopy, and ripe fruit appears. Mouse, whose back is to the growing tree, is oblivious to all that’s taking place behind him until apples start falling. “‘Uh-oh! My secret is out!’ But sometimes ... secrets are even better when you share them.” Éric Battut’s spare, simple text is a perfect match for the small figures and delicate whimsy of his visual storytelling in an understated picture book that invites young children to participate. They can join in on Mouse’s repeated refrain, and no doubt they will notice and discuss—with delight!—the tree taking shape behind Mouse. ©2011 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-6
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Humor
Observation
Patterned text/Repetition
Sharing
Publisher:
Sterling Children's Books
Publish Year: 2011
Pages: 24
ISBN: 9781402774621
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Battut