The Mouse Before Christmas

The Mouse Before Christmas

By Author / Illustrator

Tracey Turner, Jenny Løvlie

Genre

Picture Books

Age range(s)

3+

Publisher

Sunbird Books

ISBN

9781503762732

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-10-2021

Synopsis

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring... except for one mouse. With Santa as a mouse, a sleigh pulled by beetles, and gifts of toys, crackers, and cheese, this adorable picture book puts a silly--and savory--twist on Clement Clark Moore's Christmas poem, and is sure to become a family favorite. Features illustrations by award-winning illustrator Jenny Løvlie.


Find out more from author Tracey Turner

Reviews

Ashley

An adorable and beautifully illustrated picture book which the Year 3 class loved listening to. They liked the note from the author at the front and asked lots of questions before we even started reading it. The children loved the rhyme (and so did I) and said it helped them to remember the magic of Christmas and how Christmas is about being kind to all.


I think this is a book that could be read to all year groups in a primary school, especially with the link to the another poem written nearly 200 year ago.


Picture book / Reviewed by Ashley Clayton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Samantha

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring - except for one mouse. With Santa as a mouse, a sleigh pulled by beetles, and gifts of toys, crackers, and cheese, this is a clever adaptation of Clement Clark Moore's Christmas poem written over 200 years ago.


This narrative poem, written through rhyme, lends itself to becoming a firm favourite at Christmas time. The simple yet powerfully descriptive language has meant that we are going to include this in our curriculum alongside other familiar Christmas stories, to promote the love of reading. The children will be learning this to perform to parents.


The story begins just like the original poem which I am sure will remind many parents of hearing this as a child. The beautiful illustrations will add to the magic of Christmas, making this book a perfect Christmas Eve read.


Picture book / Reviewed by Samantha Hughes, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Kyle

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring…except for one mouse." The classic and well loved Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore has been given an adorable picture book twist thanks to the superb work of Tracey Turner and Jenny Lovlie.


Older readers will recognise many elements from the original poem and will find immediate fondness when easing back into the rhythm and rhyme of the text. I couldn't help but smile and think of the joys and traditions of the festive period as I read this book aloud to myself.


The new twist of the Santa mouse allows for the text to be detached enough from the original that younger readers feel engaged in its mousey charm, yet the poetic structure and familiarity of the poem allows those aware of it to still feel drawn in by its magic.


Tracey Turner has done a splendid job in finding the perfect balance of old and new when piecing the poem together to fit the new theme and the inclusion of the well-known phrases ensures that future connections will be made to the original in later years. The illustrations by Jenny Lovlie are just as magical as the poem itself and really help set the tone for a cosy, warm and joyful time of year.


It may only be October but I am already excited to share this with both my 5 year old son and my class of year 1 children once it is socially acceptable to begin using the 'C' word. A perfect addition to any Christmas library and one that will certainly stand the test of time for years to come.


Picture book / Reviewed by Kyle Matravers, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Maria

The Mouse before Christmas is a brilliant text that will get everyone ready and excited for the upcoming season. Everyone knows the traditional tale of 'The night before Christmas' but this text takes us on a slightly different journey.


Following the same story structure and using many similar words and phrases, this tale follows a little white mouse as he delivers presents to sleeping mice on Christmas Eve. Using their knowledge of the familiar tale and their engagement in this text, children will love making predictions for what will happen next. The beautiful illustrations add further depth and understanding to the tale, and allow for deeper questioning on the setting and events in the story.


This is an ideal text to introduce and demonstrate alternate tales as small details have been changed to create a new and exciting story. From dreams of cheesecakes, beetles pulling the sleigh and Mouse Santa squeezing through a crack in the wall, this story will have readers laughing and imagining how life is like to mice when they celebrate Christmas! This is definitely a book for the Christmas book corner!


Picture book / Reviewed by Maria Faithorn, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

 

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