"Babymouse For President" Book Review

1.      Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L. & Matthew. 2012. BABY MOUSE FOR PRESIDENT. New York City, New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 9780375867804

2.      Plot Summary

Babymouse has made the decision to run for class president at school.  She daydreams what life would be like as class president, then her daydreaming is quickly brought back to reality when she is asked what she will do for the students and the school.  Babymouse begins to make all kinds of empty promises in order to get votes.  Babymouse has several friends running for president as well and they all seem to have a campaign manager all set.  Babymouse finds a friend to help her run for president and she learns it is hard work.  The overall problem is Babymouse does not know what she believes in.  Is she running for president for the glory and fame or to help the school?  Although Babymouse does not win in the end, she discovered she never thought about what she could do for the school to make it a better place.

3.      Critical Analysis

Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm deliver a humorous graphic novel about a character who wants to make her name in school.  Students of all ages can relate to the theme of self-discovery of selfishness verses greater good especially in the setting of a school.  The illustrations in comic panel format with the text keep readers interested.  Some pages are full page illustrations with text bubbles that help the reader visually break the story apart.  There is some political humor with Babymouse running for president with sarcasm.  This graphic novel is a quick read and gives readers the confidence they sometimes need in approaching a “chapter book” novel.  Readers will find themselves excited to see what a baby mouse will do next. 

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

Booklist – “Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.”

Kirkus Reviews - "Emergent readers will cheer 'Babymouse!'"

5.      Connections

*Students may choose a scene for the text and create their own comic panel with text to sequence events.

*Students will choose a scene and create a readers theater.