A Very Babymouse Christmas

Babymouse #15

by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Illustrator)

Meet Babymouse—the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! The holidays are here and Babymouse has only one thing on her mind—PRESENTS. Will Babymouse find what she’s looking for under the tree? This groundbreaking young graphic novel series, full of humor and fun, is a bestseller that’s sold more than three million copies!
 
"Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"— The Chicago Sun-Times

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for . . . Babymouse.

The holidays are here and everyone's enjoying their favorite traditions--eating latkes, decorating for Kwanza, singing holiday songs, and most of all, being with family. Well, everyone except Babymouse. Babymouse only has one thing on her mind-PRESENTS!!! And whether she has to face down the ghosts of mean girls past or outsmart Santa himself, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure she gets the present she wants. Will Babymouse find a whiz-bang under the tree? Will she learn the true meaning of the holidays? And what do you get for a narrator, anyway? Find out in A Very Babymouse Christmas-the 15th graphic novel in the hilarious, award-winning Babymouse series!

DON'T MISS The BIG Adventures of Once Upon a Messy Whisker , the newest, brightest, and BIGGER THAN EVER graphic novel from BABYMOUSE!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Christmas, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Holiday

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2011

About the author

Jennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with more than 9.8 million books in print She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.

Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!

For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babymouse is real. She lets herself be selfish in an honest way and at the end she changes. That is a nice ending. There are several little scenes about famous Christmas stories sprinkled throughout the book.

The art doesn't excite me and I have a hard time getting into the stories. I might give another one a try. I can't say I'm the biggest Babymouse fan. I'm sure the Middle grade readers will love it.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just adore Babymouse! I love that there's a Christmas one! (And it's also, sorta, a Hanukkah one!)

But the plot was very random. Other than Babymouse wanting to get a certain toy for Christmas, and being unable to think of anything else, there were a lot of jumps to scenes from the North Pole and such that made me keep checking that tI hadn't skipped a page by accident. So, not the strongest of the series, but a definite must-read for fans of Babymouse!

[Aryanamarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one oh it was so funny it made me laugh every part. Babymouse has too dress up as Santa to make her brother feel better about Santa because her brother is scared of Santa. She would always complain about the beard being itchy.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first introduction to this character was actually in the picture book Little Babymouse and the Christmas Cupcakes , which I actually liked more (but only slightly). I do not like this character! She's selfish, self-absorbed, obsessive, and kind of sadistic. A child old enough to be left alone to buy Christmas presents for her family is old enough to know that pouring hot chocolate into the fish bowl is a very bad idea. What did she think would happen? (By the way, the fish died.)

The illustrations here are really rough. I guess I just don't like the Holms' style. I had the same issue with the Sunny series. It's even worse here, because the illustrations aren't even in full colour. There are just touches of pink everywhere (which kind of codes this as a book intended for girls; I don't know if the other books in the series use other colours, or if they're all pink). I'm glad that, in the picture book, they neatened up the style a bit; it's not very appealing to look at here.

The plot is pretty stupid. Babymouse wants a device called a Whiz Bang. That's it. She's absolutely obsessed with getting one, and so she becomes obsessed with anything that might lead to her getting one: visiting Santa, joining her friend's family for Hanukkah celebrations (because they have eight days of presents, of course), competing in the locker-decorating contest to win one (which leads to a really weird scene with a locker that defies the laws of physics, and a reference to another cartoon franchise... I think). Babymouse's greed gets really tiresome by the end, and even though she eventually understands the true meaning of the holiday, by that point it's too late. She hasn't even bothered to get presents for her family, so obsessed was she with this stupid Whiz Bang thing. (Having her have her epiphany at that point rings kind of hollow... and convenient. Of course she realizes presents aren't everything at the point where she's in no position to reciprocate!)

This is really weak, both as a graphic novel and as a Christmas book. I don't think I'm going to bother with any more of Babymouse's antics, in any case.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babymouse is at it again. As usual, I loved the pink and black color scheme that fills the pages as Babymouse looks forward to Christmas and all the goodies she will receive. As she tells Santa over and over, all she really wants is a Whizbang. In between waiting for Christmas Day to arrive, Babymouse sneaks into her parents' closet in search of her loot, decks her locker for the holiday and ponders school present exchanges in years gone by. The narrator even intrudes to remind her of the true meaning of Christmas, but the message flies right by her. Once she has the much-anticipated gift, she can't even use it because there are no batteries. Once again, the stubborn Babymouse eventually learns her lesson, even if it takes her a long time to process it. There's nothing quite as fun as a Babymouse Christmas.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it it is very loving and very selfish at the same time but it was OKBaby mouse like thisBoy called Wilson and I hope Jennifer holm and Matthew holm is on good reads My favorite part about it was going to get everybody’s presents .

[Matthew Meehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a more entertaining read than I anticipated. I thought that the way Jennifer Holm separates herself in the book with the use of square boxes really lets kids understand how to interpret the book. As a reader, it almost gives you the sense that you are the narrator and are interacting with Babymouse during her choas. This particular book was great for kids because they certainly can relate to wanting the coolest item on the market for christmas and seem to get caught up in the wait for the presents which is where they forget the real reasons that christmas is so great. In A Very Babymouse Christmas, the kids are shown that even if they get what they want for christmas, its the family and friends that make it special.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this series. I gave this to my six-year-old because she's just learning to read, and she can't put it down. She has favorite sections that she'll open to, and she'll just giggle over and over again.

The illustrations and storyline are so cute that parents shouldn't be deceived by all of the pink within the pages. Even my nephews love reading about this spunky mouse who can't help but be in the Christmas spirit. The plot is fun and deals with the struggles that most kids have when they get caught up in the commercialism of gift-giving (and receiving). Through the witty banter between the narrator and Babymouse, readers not only get to laugh, but also get to think about what's really important during this holiday season.

[Susan]

This book, found on Great Graphic Novels for kids, would be most fitting for Grades 2-5. The audience I feel this book aims towards are girls, however boys would enjoy it as well. Children would enjoy this book because of the comics and detailed illustrations.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! It made me giggle, and I think it has a good message for kids. This will be fun to booktalk with the third grade this year!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a christmas classic!

[Aurora T]

This book is about a mouse named BAYBYMOUSE and it was christmas time.Every kid in the neighborhood whated a wiz bang.It was on chistmas eve that baybymouse's dad took her to the mall so he chould go chistmas shopping so whance they got throu the door her dad siad that he had to go chistmas shopping so they would meet back there. So baybymouse saw the sit on santas lap line so she got in line to sit on santas lap. So to sit on santas lap it took hours and then finly she got to the front of the line and aksed for a whiz bang. she keept going back in the line and she did that like 10 times as difrent pepole . that nhight baybymouse's mom siad do not get up intil morning.when baybymouse got up it was 5:30 in the morning and she started yelling get up get up it is chistmas it chistmas. her mom siad go back to sleep babymouse it 5:30 in the morning. when it was actcaly christmas morning the hole famaily her dad her mom baybymouse and last but not lest mouse.when they started opening prestants baybymouse got her whiz bang and a mouse house.thats when it hit her playing with the mouse house whould be are new famlily tor dishon

writen by aurora taylor age 8

[Halley Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the season's must-read novels! Readers will delight in Babymouse's antics, and fondly remember when there was that one present they just had to have. For Babymouse, it is a Whiz Bang. She will not be happy until she gets one! She tries everything she can think of, and even dreams of Sugarplum dancing Whiz Bangs. However, when she does finally get her Whiz Bang, the batteries are not included! Thus, she spends an enjoyable evening playing with her little sister and parents with the new mouse house her little sister received. It is there that she realizes that spending time with her family is more fun than the latest gadget.

This graphic novel is great for reluctant readers and for readers that are reluctant to try graphic novels. It has many familiar allusions to Christmas traditions; such as visiting Santa at the mall, and A Christmas Carol. The illustrations help to convey the character's feelings during the scenes. It is obvious when Babymouse is frustrated through her body language, and when she is excited. I also enjoy the conversation between the narrator and Babymouse. By breaking this fourth wall some enjoyable bickering between the two. The conversation also helps to highlight the fact that Babymouse is being greedy and ignoring the true meaning of Christmas. This novel has a good message, without being preachy. The only concern that I have is the only color used is pink, which might deter male readers from reading it. This novel is highly recommended for readers in grades 3-5.

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your classic retelling of "A Christmas Carol", this one is 5x's as fun to see and read.
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Babymouse wants a Whiz Bang for Christmas. We know that. Her parents know that. Her classmates and friends know that. Heck, EVERYBODY knows THAT. But, can she discover the true meaning of Christmas? Will she discover that some things are MORE IMPORTANT than that electronic device?
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Babymouse has received yet another terrible gift from a classmate, and she goes home to go to sleep, hoping Santa will bring her a Whiz Bang.
Instead, she is visted by The Ghost of Christmas Past, and she pretty much brushes off everything he tells her.
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The next morning she wakes up to find she HAS received a Whiz Bang, but that it doesn't have any batteries. You'd think she'd be upset. But, she's more intrigued by the "Mouse House" that she has received, and wants to make the "Mouse House" a family tradition.
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She learned that some things are more important than a Whiz Bang. Love and family is what Christmas is truly about.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Christmastime! Babymouse is a teensy bit obsessed about getting presents, specifically a WhizBang. She's trying everything she can think of to get one, from winning the locker decorating competition, to visiting Santa ad nauseum at the mall. But Christmas isn't just about getting presents! Can Babymouse learn her lesson before Christmas passes by?

An all too real scenario for kids to get so obsessed about getting they forget more meaningful parts of the Christmas season. Of course, this not being a religious series, the deepest Babymouse gets is spending time with family. It is humorous, with plenty of nods to Christmas classics in Babymouse's daydreams. The narrator is trying to get Babymouse straightened out, with comic results. Babymouse's interactions with Santa and her self-invites over to Wilson's for all 8 days of Hanukkah are quite funny. And the locker has an epic, hilarious holiday moment.

No content issues.

[Lachelle Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic-Novel
Ages 7 and up
Paperback

This book is apart of the Babymouse Series. There are 16 stories that take you on an adventure with babymouse. Book number 15 A Very Babymouse Christmas talks about babymouse missing the meaning of christmas and only wanting Presents. Faced with three problems Babymouse must overcome her ways to get to her presents. This book teaches young readers the meaning of christmas. So many of them can relate to babymouse because they too live to get up to see whats under the tree. This series won multiple children's choice awards. One title was the first graphic novel ever to be named an ALA Notable Children's Book. The book won the Gryphon Award and the New York Book Show Award in 2006. The author of this book is used to recieving awards for she has won an award for alomost every book she has ever written.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifteenth book in the Babymouse series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. The plot centers on Babymouse's experiences during the Christmas season. I loved the holiday and literary references. While the story was a bit predictable, it was a sweet holiday-themed story.

Our youngest really likes these books. They are quick reads and she read this book in less than an hour. We've been going through this series very quickly and now that we're very close to the end, perhaps we'll move on to the Squish series next.

[Rachel Kramer Bussel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This holiday season, our beloved mouse is eager to get the hot new does-it-all phone, a Wizbang, which already the Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm give a nod to the adults and mock our desire for the latest, greatest tech products. Babymouse tries to con Santa with various disguises and gets taken back to the Ghosts of Mean Girls Past as she, hopefully, learns a lesson. Will there be a "typical" ending for her? Read A Very Babymouse Christmas, and then do someone a favor and give them a copy. Babymouse is charming even when she's being bratty and self-centered, in a cute mouse kind of way. One of the best in the series.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it captures the essence of what the holidays are supposed to be about. We read about all the holidays different families celebrate and things to be thankful for. Yet, babymouse only seems to care about the Whiz Bang she is dreaming about for Christmas. She finally gets her Whiz Bang christmas morning, but the batteries aren't included so babymouse can't play with it yet. Instead, she plays with her sister and one of her new toys and spends time with her family. This is when babymouse realizes that the best present isn't her Whiz Bang, spending time with her family is much more important.

[Kelly Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and how very similar it was to a child's idea of Christmas. Presents presents presents!! There were lots of other things happening that went un-noticed, and it was an interesting take on a child's idea of Christmas. She is so cute, and a great character for a series. The reader can relate to her immediately, and are interested in following her throughout the other books, which is a great way to keep students reading. This is a great book, and I would venture that the rest of the series is the same way.

[Chelsea Christophel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was fantastic! Any young reader will enjoy this or even a classroom full of students for a read aloud. During the holiday season, most children find an absolute joy in reading anything that has to do with this time of year! It is relatable to children because similar to Babymouse, children look forward to the presents. At a young age, it is hard to have an appreciation for anything other than the gifts and this story helps children to see otherwise and realize that this more to Christmas than just presents.

[Christiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will cut the Holms some slack because, hello, they created Babymouse. But this one was not my favorite! I feel like Babymouse just all of a sudden stops being so greedy and I wanted more of an aha moment I think (Babymouse IS on a higher learning level than most literature out there today) than what I'm given as to the True Meaning of Christmas. But obvs, I will continue to read Babymouse until the day I die. I just wanted a bit more from this edition. The Christmas cards at the end were funny, though, so there's that.

[Selene Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive always enjoyed Babymouse books! this one is probably one of my favorites (from the ones I've read) It also has a great christmas message that probably can relate to many children. With baby mouse dying to get Whiz Bang for christmas and then realizing it does not have batteries included she is disappointed. She spends the rest of her night playing with her sister (who got a mouse house) and realizes that the best gift is spending time with her family.

the message it sends it good for children who seem to think that christmas is all about gifts, it also has awesome illustrations!

[Deborah Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious. Genuinely all-ages fun. I highly recommend this for parents who have a wide range of ages to please with the nightly read -- or for anyone who enjoys great humor writing. My son and I sat down with it tonight, and the Mohawk-sporting teen was laughing as much as I was. Clever and funny and makes some great points without being ham-handed. Can't wait to see what other Babymouse books my library carries.

[Karly Kovac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! Every little kid loves Christmas for the same reason.... presents! It is hard for parents to explain to their kids that Christmas is not just about gifts. This book teaches that it is not just about the presents and whether or not kids understand that the first time they read it, they definitely will understand it eventually!

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babymouse is back with an adorably pink holiday lesson for us all.

Celebrate the reason for the season: spending time together. It's worth more than all the Whiz-bangs in the world.

Babymouse is obsessed with presents (especially exciting when Babymouse celebrates Hanukkah with a friend and discovers there are 8 days of gifts) but as always, she comes around.

[Eric Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

being in the christmas spirit i decided to read this book of the babymouse series. As christmas is approaching and babymouse and her sister only want one thing babymouse wants whiz bangs. Picturing other presents babymouse realizes that this is the best one and gets it on christmas but with no batteries but still has fun with it. Great story to read around this time of year.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess this is my first Babymouse book. I read it for the SharpSchu December book club. It took me a bit to get into it, but I ended up enjoying it. Graphic novels are hard for me, but I know they're popular with kids, so I'm trying to be open-minded. I love the narrator throughout, and I just taught my fourth graders about allusion, so I could share this with them.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Babymouse, it's all about getting a Whiz Bang electronic device for Christmas. Repeated visits to Santa and even going to her friend's house everyday for Hanukkah might just score her a Whiz Bang. But when it arrives (without batteries), is it really what Christmas is about? Hyper, jubilant, expressive...that's Babymouse!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book that makes my daughter jump up and down when she unwraps it as one of her Christmas Presents is o.k. with me. I didn't love this one as much as some of the other Babymouse books but it was still a fun read.