Mario Makes a Move

by Jill McElmurry

According to Publishers Weekly in a starred review, this picture book "capture[s] the exuberance of the creative spirit alongside the quirks of a character accepting his limitations." Mario is a squirrel who loves to invent amazing moves, like the Super Looper and Tail, Don't Fail. But though his parents ooh and ahh at whatever he does, his friend Isabelle is not so easily impressed. When she points out that anyone can have a move, Mario must find some other way to stand out.

Sometimes being amazing is hard work, as shown in this zany yet accessible picture book from Jill McElmurry, illustrator of The One and Only Marigold and Little Blue Truck. Young readers will instantly recognize themselves in Mario, as he searches for his one-of-a-kind talent. Here is a hilarious read-aloud that will have little ones oohing and ahhing—and trying out some moves of their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Humor

32 pages, Library Binding

First published May 8, 2012

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book will inspire your students to show off their best moves.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

For everyone whose got "a move" and just needs the motivation to share, show and tell it.
Fun illustrations make this one a winner for story time.

[Conni Strittmatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are very cute. I like the lesson in the end. There is also a cute list of facts about squirrels at the end.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of sharing talents (and that nobody "owns" them) but the book didn't grab me. The retro illustrations were fun.

[Briony · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a good book to read with a child who might be having some envy issues about someone who has the same talents/hobbies/etc. Worthwhile to discuss why it's good to share information and learn from others.

[Darcie Saunier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooooooo cute! Love the illustrations, except I don't understand why the girl squirrel and the bear are wearing clothing....

[Sarah Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mario Makes a Move is a heartfelt story about learning to face challenges and take chances. It would work well in the classroom to inspire discussions about courage and making thoughtful choices.

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mario likes to invent amazing moves, like the Super Looper, the Rocket to Mars, the Crazy Wave. As he soars through the air everyone exclaims, “Artistic!” “Astonishing!” “Artistic!” Everyone except his friend Isabelle. She says, “Nice.” What!? Mario just can’t handle nice, he knows his talent is unique and amazing. But when he challenges Isabelle, he finds she can perform his moves with equal agility. Not only that, but Isabelle shows him that he’s not the only one with moves; everyone in the forest can have a move. Mario doesn’t feel so amazing anymore. What’s a squirrel to do?

The text is mostly dialogue between the two friends and printed in large font for easy reading and following along. The tone is conversational and humorous and McElmurry manages to incorporate some great vocabulary words. The illustrations use an autumn palate of browns, oranges, and yellows, set against the faded gray-blue almost-winter sky. The squirrels are full of energy and personality. Mario may be a little egotistical, but smart and savvy Isabelle keeps him in check with an amused flick of her bushy tail. All the “moves” in the book include action lines and there are several “charts” on how to execute moves. The back of the book includes 20 facts about squirrels.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance I was not impressed with this book. However, after using it with several classes I found there was more to this book then I had given it credit for. Mario is a squirrel who is full of self confidence due to having a very supportive family. Because of this he is able to deal with a perceived indifference from his friend Isabelle. At first he is crushed by her,"ho hum", attitude about his very creative moves. In the end the two work together to create the, "Even More Amazingly Amazing Amazer" move. My students loved it and we even did some of the moves. The way the two graphed out each move led to an interesting math lesson. This is a great read for students as you can use friendship, math, physical education, and family themes.
The illustrations were amusing as they truly supported the text. The characters of Mario and Isabelle had fantastic expression.

[Jim Erekson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved I'm Not a Baby, so I had a lot of expectations coming into this book. A bit of jealousy and reconciliation in the story, good universal themes. But not much complexity and an easy solution. I love how Jill McElmurry keeps movement at the heart of the story both in pictures and words, and Mario’s lame stick collection was a funny way to emphasize this. The backgrounds and forest animals were painted reminiscent of 1950s & 60s illustrators who borrowed from folk art traditions—I especially liked the bear and the foxes!

[Kerrikoala · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, but I'll bump it to 4, since the author has the same first name as my favorite squirrel.

So yeah, this wasn't quite what I expected. It was cute, but the smarter and more talented girl squirrel had to stroke the ego of the boy squirrel when he felt ordinary. I'm all about girl power and stuff, and at other times I'd be like, "Haha, she's better than you!" and "so typical," but I actually felt sorry for Mario this time. It worked out in the end, but I guess I would have liked a different middle.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Mario was creative/inventive and Isabelle was brainy/creative. I enjoyed the illustrations and the way everyone had a move of his/her own, thus showing that anyone can be creative. And I especially liked that Mario and Isabelle worked together to create a new amazing move to top their individual efforts. But almost most of all, I liked how the last page of the book included 13 facts about squirrels. :-)

[Lisa Fabiano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mario is a very talented squirrel who likes to create amazing moves: Jitterbug, Super Looper and Bowling Bowl to name a few. When his friend Isabelle is not impressed and shows him her own amazing moves, Mario is at a loss. He wants to be the only one who can make amazing moves. What is a squirrel to do?

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A flying squirrel shows off his talents and then abandons them when others can do them too and has to be coaxed to come back to them paying off by collaborating with a friend. McElmurry adds some interesting ages of drawn plans away from the narrative story pages and has an interesting list of facts about squirrel's at the end.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mario doesn't think his move is too amazing anymore after Isabelle just calls it nice. Fun story about the power of words. Could be used as a fun example of how the same word can be modified slightly to change from a verb, to a noun, to an adjective, to an adverb (to amaze, amazer, amazing, amazingly). Contains interesting facts about squirrels at the end.

[Sydney Hall]

If readers can't tell by the title, this book is full of alliterations. I love that about this book because I think it would be a great mentor text for a unit of special text features such as alliterations. They are fun and easy for students to catch on to. This book also has a good moral of finding individuality and being your true self.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing acrobatic squirrels.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming illustrations - gouache on water color paper.

Text - basic. Heavily based on dialogue.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always thinking his movies were special, Mario becomes disheartened after he discovers that anybody can have "a move." Maybe he should collect sticks or eat worms or something.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok to be unique and to share.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A squirrel learns to be proud of his accomplishments, even if others are capable of doing the same thing.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun illustrations of the dance moves. And I love the "If you are a squirrel" list included at the end of the book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a squirrel page

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book for all ages, with a perfect marriage of text and illustration -- an "amazingly amazing" little piece of theatre!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about awareness of the gifts of others. Loved the squirrel facts at the end.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of squirrels will enjoy this cute story about two friends who share their amazing moves and create the Even More Amazingly Amazer.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

About Merging your talents with your friends to get better at something. About being yourself and being confident!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-K

[North Lake County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the littlies seemed to connect with it during our StoryTime Thursdays (ages 3-5, for the most part). Lovely illustrations, interesting story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and the illustrations are quite fun.