Mousekin's Thanksgiving

Mousekin #12

by Edna Miller

Mousekin and his forest friends struggle to survive the winter together with a wild turkey.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

31 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Born in 1920 and grew up in NYC. Later lived in Vermont and Maryland.

"As a child I developed a great love of animals. At the zoo in Central Park, I made childish sketches of my favorite animals. The Museum of Natural History was my second home.......The idea for my first book, Mousekin's Golden House, came to me shortly after Halloween when I had put the family pumpkin outside. One evening I noticed a small, white-footed mouse exploring the jack-o'-lantern for the few seeds it contained. I thought what a fine house it would make for a white-footed mouse who forever discards one home and searches for another."

"Edna Miller grew up in New York City near The American Museum of Natural History where the animal exhibits always interested her. During her travels in this country and abroad, Mrs. Miller has observed the behavior and habits of animal life. After completing Mousekin's Christmas Eve, Mrs. Miller felt there was only one reward she could give the live mouse she was using as her model. He had been well fed and exercised, but a wire cage was no place for a healthy mouse. She 'carried the cage to the woods and opened the door-- to freedom.'" --from the dustjacket of Mousekins's Christmas Eve.

Reviews

[Karen Witzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Mousekin's winter stores have all been pilfered - and a strange new creature has been seen in the wood.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle attempt to use a story to teach about life in the forest. Not as old-fashioned as Thornton W. Burgess but almost as twee. Very pretty pictures. Not bad, and if I get a chance I will read other Mousekin stories, but I don't blame those readers who don't like it, and there are plenty of other choices on the theme.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that's closer to the original Thanksgiving than one might realize at first: hungry people in winter, gratefully receiving food from strangers... Sound familiar?

The boys love this. The illustrations are great- quite realistic- and we have fun pointing out all of the animals and birds that we know from our own winter backyard.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the peaceful, muted tones of the illustrations but, quite frankly, found the story dull. It is difficult to imagine a child sitting still through a reading of this book.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sweet, descriptive tale of nature as seen through watching the comings and goings of Mousekin!

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, quiet little forest story of a mouse looking for food as fall turns to winter, and the unexpected appearance of a wild turkey. At first, the animals see the bird as a scary interloper, but then they begin to appreciate the turkey and how he helps them. It's always refreshing to see a turkey-themed book that doesn't involve hunting or eating the birds.

[Rosabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of obsessed with the Mousekin books right now. I thought this one was a little weaker than the others I've read as far as how lyrical and how strong a story is involved. It still has beautiful artwork and a peaceful ending though.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is only as boring as your imagination, in my opinion. I’ve only read this book of Miller’s—not knowing there was a series—but this is what really happens to critters in the winter, so how to cool to share that perspective of creation with my toddler?

[LadyHague · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet and simple. Story of a mouse experiencing a Turkey for the first time in the forest. Suggest fear but ends in friendship.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

plot doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but it's cute and I like how it's thanksgiving without going into the actual holiday mumbo jumbo

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mousekin!

[Sara Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about woodland creatures getting ready for winter!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a mouse.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. I am note sure if kids will enjoy this one as much. Not as colorful as some other books, but overall a nice message in the story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet! Adorable engaging, and gentle illustrations. I need more books like this in my life.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

zzzzzz Either I am really tired, or this book is REALLY boring. The pictures are nice, but I feel like this book is Quaalude (never been on it, but it helps blood pressure drops and the breathing and pulse rates slow, leading to a state of deep relaxation)

, BORED! Could have been a sweet story, but It didn't hold my interest. I honestly nodded off several times while trying to read it and I am at WORK nodding off is NOT acceptable!!

I also feel like the story went on forever and the abruptly ended. And it really doesn't have anything to do with Thanksgiving except...there is a wild turkey that appears. Is this a series and I am missing something...Don't know!

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the edge of boring, this book tells the story of mousekin and the forest friends as they struggle to survive. Not the typical running turkey tale that we love to tell around the holiday.

[Rachael Lauritzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautifully illustrated November book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle and delicately illustrated tale of a mouse

[Lisa Driskill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak plot. I did not read it to my students.