The Story of Jumping Mouse

Genre: Fantasy

Title: The Story of Jumping Mouse
Author/Illustrator: John Steptoe

Awards: Caldecott Honor

Age Range: 4-8 Years old

Summary: There is a little mouse that wants to go to the far-off land, even though he knows it may be dangerous. The mouse meets Magic Frog, gives the mouse the ability to jump higher than before, and names him Jumping Mouse. The mouse crosses the river with the help of the frog and continues on his journey. The mouse gives his eyesight to a blind bison because he wanted to help him. Even though Jumping Mouse can no longer see, he still has hope. Next, he ran into a wolf that could not smell, so Jumping mouse used the little magic he had left and names the wolf Nose-of-a-Mouse, so the wolf could now smell. The Jumping Mouse made it to the far-off land but was distraught because he did not know how he could live with no sight and no smell. The Magic Frog appeared and changed Jumping Mouse into an Eagle because he was unselfish.

Evaluation: I enjoyed reading this book, especially with all the unexpected twists that were in it. I would use this book with students in grades 1st through 3rd grade. I would love to do a read-aloud of the book and ask students to make predictions. Also, I think the story has a great message behind it that I want to share with students. All students should be taught to never give up, but have hope as well as helping others is the right thing to do.

Comments

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