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[The Mouse and the Meadow] [By: Wallace, Chad] [March, 2014]
A young mouse quickly comes of age as he sets out to explore his meadow. There he meets many remarkable creatures. Spider has tangled intentions. Firefly really knows how to put on a show. Mother rabbit is kind. Turtle is wise. Others would have him for lunch! Fortunately, help arrives just in time.
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First published January 26, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 28, 2015
In the world of insipid information delivered instantly through digital media, it is a relief to recognise children may still embark on imaginative journeys in books and learn loads of factual information on the world around them at the same time. The Mouse and the Meadow is a medley of storytelling and informational books for children.
The illustrations are the greatest strength of the book - a young mouse embarks on a quest and at every stage of the journey it encounters different characters that provide it with a new portion of information. The colour palette is vivid and imaginative, almost fairy tale-like.The child gains knowledge of the world along with the mouse, as it discovers new territories and makes new friends. The information is cleverly embedded within the narrative itself and the tale is dynamic and emotional. A splendid way for a child to learn about the world of nature!
The illustrations are the greatest strength of the book - a young mouse embarks on a quest and at every stage of the journey it encounters different characters that provide it with a new portion of information. The colour palette is vivid and imaginative, almost fairy tale-like.The child gains knowledge of the world along with the mouse, as it discovers new territories and makes new friends. The information is cleverly embedded within the narrative itself and the tale is dynamic and emotional. A splendid way for a child to learn about the world of nature!
April 29, 2015
I love this book perhaps because I'm head over heels in love with mice! I have been taking care of mice through all my life and I know how delicate, vulnerable, weak and frightened they are. The illustrations in this book are soooo cute! They are big and bright. They intensity of colors is perfect to me! I think that the journey of the mouse may be a metaphor of human life. We are born, we are given shelter and protection by our parents who love us and bring us up. Later on, we grow up and we leave the nest and start our jurney though adult life. In adult life we gain experience and we meet various people, some of them are good to us, some are harmful and dangerous. When we are born, we have a blank card, no experience at all. But later we observe the world. Sometimes other people warn us about dangers, like the mouse is being warned in the book. Sometimes danger is very close and we are almost victims of it, and we hardly survive. The same is with mice. Moreover, mice, just like humans, find their partner, their love, at some period of life, sooner or later. Everyone has their destiny.. The book is thought-provoking and reaaly moving!
December 3, 2014
The illustrations are gorgeous and life-like in this book, but the tone of the text does not match. I wasn't expecting it to be in rhyme. It is a pretty lengthy story and I grew tired of the rhymes early on. The free app that comes with the book promised to make magical 3-D pop-ups of the scenery, which I was really looking forward to. However, after download the app would not work. The book earns most of its merit for painting a realistic picture of animal life and it's surroundings in beautiful illustrations.
Review copy provided by Dawn Publications for the CYBILS.
Review copy provided by Dawn Publications for the CYBILS.
May 1, 2017
Would have gotten more stars if the whole thing hadn't been written in rhyme. Too much text to sustain that much rhyming. Illustrations great. Wildlife aspect good.
January 14, 2020
This beautifully-illustrated story of a young meadow mouse's day doesn't shy away from exploring predator-prey relationships, and the drama of our protagonist being pursued by a garter snake or a great-horned owl will be appreciated by readers of all ages. I would give it four stars (rather than three), but the rhyming format of the text is hard to stomach for such a long book; had Wallace opted to simply tell the same story without rhyme, I would have been a much happier reader.
February 14, 2018
This a cool book about a young field mouse first adventures in a meadow. He quickly. learns basic stuff like predators/prey. friends/foes safety/ dangers and all kinds of stuff that appear in nature. Me really like this story and that it gives real facts in nature. You can learn from this adventures and facts. You can apply them to you life.
February 3, 2019
A nice story about a meadow mouse and his environment. Excellent illustrations.
April 30, 2019
Great story and illustrations
August 8, 2024
The illustrations are incredible.
October 9, 2025
Good story, wonderful illustrations. Good information at the end of the book.
September 8, 2016
My rating is actually a 4.5; however I rounded up because my lower rating reflects a personal preference.
This book is on the large side (love!) and the pictures are dramatic at times. One whole page is devoted to an owl's talons trying to grab a mouse, which is on the opposite page. A garter snake is made fearsome when it's projected from a mouse's point of view. Imagery for effect! My seven year old son just couldn't quit looking at the book. Me too, actually. Amazon provides some sneak peeks to sample the book, but really the book is much better in person than it depicts online.
The story itself is about a mouse exploring the wonders and perils of a meadow environment. He speaks to other animals - a bee, caterpillar, box turtle, garter snake, weasel, rabbit, firefly, horned owl - during his informative jaunt.
The sentences all rhyme, which is a trait in informative books that I do not care for. The benefit of course, it teaches children rhyming words, but I would rather have the focus being on instruction, rather than prose. The poetry is rather good, but some rather difficult words are used to make this possible. Some examples of wording are: "watched intently," "predatory wrath," "completely unaware a transformation," etc. My point being, illustration-wise, this will grab the attention of the younger ones, but much will likely not be completely understood by them. My first grader was lost in the wording, but this will be a book that we will re-read together and will be used to increase vocabulary, mostly descriptive, rather than scientific. I like the advanced vocabulary, but frankly didn't expect it basing a book by its cover, so I thought it worth mentioning.
An excellent piece of this book is located in the back pages. Here, more factual subject matter that pertains to the book is explained. The subjects covered are Animals that Talk, Animal Altruism, Meadow Mice, Meadow Magic, Meadow Match-Up, Miniature Meadow and the Name Means the Same. Although each section is informative in itself, it provides springboard for further learning. Other books and websites are suggested as are clues to look for animal habitation in your area. Ideas for building your own meadow are included, though I would have added to contact your local Extension Office for planting native plants myself. (Suggested because I have started my own meadow on my acreage, and also belong to the Idaho Native Plant Society. It isn't just about the seeds, but the soil and other environmental conditions, and I personally think our Extension Office provides more practical help in our high desert area than INPS, which seems more academic to me. A bit of a ranting on my part, I suppose, but really I love the suggestions included all the same).
AND if that wasn't enough, there is a free pop-up app included with this book. It can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store, Amazon App Store or Google Play. I unfortunately, do not have a corresponding device. I did download the app on my Kindle Fire, but the camera is on the front, and the camera needs to be on the back of your device so it can scan the book while you look at your screen. I was able to catch some glimpses of the pop-up while holding my head upside down so I could see the screen on my Kindle and I liked what I was able to see. The garden spider's big web all in 3D! Wow. The instructions state you may touch the animals on the screen and they will move, but with my technology this was impossible. The app will read the book out loud once the camera scans it correctly while you look and play with the pictures. My phone is a Windows phone and no app is available (yet, I hope??) for it, so I wasn't able to try it on my phone either. Wonderful tech additions, but as always, you have to have the correct tech to support the expanded features.
Lots of growth and exploring included within these page. The poetry was good, but I didn't LOVE it, hence my 4.5 rating rather than 5 stars. This book is published by Dawn Publications, whose website I did explore as I am interested in purchasing more of these type books. My son enjoys interactive books, like Scholastic's interactive Storia books and I hope they make more of them that work with more devices.
An absolutely wonderful book for schools, libraries (the app works with the actual book rather than on an account so anyone with a proper device and the app could use the pop-up feature) or parents wanting to teach their kids about the often overlooked, but important and beautiful meadow life, with no underlying agenda suggested. Now, if I could find a book similar about the sagebrush steppe.....just saying.
Disclosure: I read a free copy of the book in return for my candid review. Be assured, my opinion is honest, and I do not owe or know the author/publisher.
This book is on the large side (love!) and the pictures are dramatic at times. One whole page is devoted to an owl's talons trying to grab a mouse, which is on the opposite page. A garter snake is made fearsome when it's projected from a mouse's point of view. Imagery for effect! My seven year old son just couldn't quit looking at the book. Me too, actually. Amazon provides some sneak peeks to sample the book, but really the book is much better in person than it depicts online.
The story itself is about a mouse exploring the wonders and perils of a meadow environment. He speaks to other animals - a bee, caterpillar, box turtle, garter snake, weasel, rabbit, firefly, horned owl - during his informative jaunt.
The sentences all rhyme, which is a trait in informative books that I do not care for. The benefit of course, it teaches children rhyming words, but I would rather have the focus being on instruction, rather than prose. The poetry is rather good, but some rather difficult words are used to make this possible. Some examples of wording are: "watched intently," "predatory wrath," "completely unaware a transformation," etc. My point being, illustration-wise, this will grab the attention of the younger ones, but much will likely not be completely understood by them. My first grader was lost in the wording, but this will be a book that we will re-read together and will be used to increase vocabulary, mostly descriptive, rather than scientific. I like the advanced vocabulary, but frankly didn't expect it basing a book by its cover, so I thought it worth mentioning.
An excellent piece of this book is located in the back pages. Here, more factual subject matter that pertains to the book is explained. The subjects covered are Animals that Talk, Animal Altruism, Meadow Mice, Meadow Magic, Meadow Match-Up, Miniature Meadow and the Name Means the Same. Although each section is informative in itself, it provides springboard for further learning. Other books and websites are suggested as are clues to look for animal habitation in your area. Ideas for building your own meadow are included, though I would have added to contact your local Extension Office for planting native plants myself. (Suggested because I have started my own meadow on my acreage, and also belong to the Idaho Native Plant Society. It isn't just about the seeds, but the soil and other environmental conditions, and I personally think our Extension Office provides more practical help in our high desert area than INPS, which seems more academic to me. A bit of a ranting on my part, I suppose, but really I love the suggestions included all the same).
AND if that wasn't enough, there is a free pop-up app included with this book. It can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store, Amazon App Store or Google Play. I unfortunately, do not have a corresponding device. I did download the app on my Kindle Fire, but the camera is on the front, and the camera needs to be on the back of your device so it can scan the book while you look at your screen. I was able to catch some glimpses of the pop-up while holding my head upside down so I could see the screen on my Kindle and I liked what I was able to see. The garden spider's big web all in 3D! Wow. The instructions state you may touch the animals on the screen and they will move, but with my technology this was impossible. The app will read the book out loud once the camera scans it correctly while you look and play with the pictures. My phone is a Windows phone and no app is available (yet, I hope??) for it, so I wasn't able to try it on my phone either. Wonderful tech additions, but as always, you have to have the correct tech to support the expanded features.
Lots of growth and exploring included within these page. The poetry was good, but I didn't LOVE it, hence my 4.5 rating rather than 5 stars. This book is published by Dawn Publications, whose website I did explore as I am interested in purchasing more of these type books. My son enjoys interactive books, like Scholastic's interactive Storia books and I hope they make more of them that work with more devices.
An absolutely wonderful book for schools, libraries (the app works with the actual book rather than on an account so anyone with a proper device and the app could use the pop-up feature) or parents wanting to teach their kids about the often overlooked, but important and beautiful meadow life, with no underlying agenda suggested. Now, if I could find a book similar about the sagebrush steppe.....just saying.
Disclosure: I read a free copy of the book in return for my candid review. Be assured, my opinion is honest, and I do not owe or know the author/publisher.
March 1, 2014
Do you know exactly what a meadow is and what kinds of animals live there? A young meadow mouse, also known as a meadow vole or field mouse, quickly comes of age as he sets out from home to explore his habitat, the meadow, which is a community of grasses and wildflowers, also called a prairie, grassland, or field. There he meets many remarkable creatures, such as a spider who spins a web to catch food; a honeybee collecting nectar and pollinating flowers; a monarch butterfly larva forming a chrysalis on a milkweed leaf; a wise old turtle who warns him about the dangers in the meadow; a kindly mother rabbit; and a firefly who really knows how to put on a show.
However, not all the meadow animals are friendly towards mice. Some, like the garter snake, the weasel, and the owl, would like to have him for lunch. Will he be eaten, or can he escape? The pleasant, rhyming text and stunning natural illustrations of The Mouse and the Meadow, all by Chad Wallace, introduce young people to the environment of the meadow not only with a story designed to appeal to children but also with scientific concepts which are entirely accurate. There are a couple of pages in the back with more information about the meadow and its inhabitants, along with some suggested learning activities. And for those who are into the latest technology, there is even an interactive pop-up app for the book. Did you know that weasels like to eat garter snakes too?
However, not all the meadow animals are friendly towards mice. Some, like the garter snake, the weasel, and the owl, would like to have him for lunch. Will he be eaten, or can he escape? The pleasant, rhyming text and stunning natural illustrations of The Mouse and the Meadow, all by Chad Wallace, introduce young people to the environment of the meadow not only with a story designed to appeal to children but also with scientific concepts which are entirely accurate. There are a couple of pages in the back with more information about the meadow and its inhabitants, along with some suggested learning activities. And for those who are into the latest technology, there is even an interactive pop-up app for the book. Did you know that weasels like to eat garter snakes too?
January 29, 2014
The illustrations in this children's book are absolutely gorgeous, and it teaches concepts about nature in a very unique way. Readers follow the adventures of a small mouse as he explores his environment for the very first time with eyes full of wonder and an inquisitive mind. The book is written in rhyme, which my students loved. A few of the sentences seemed slightly awkward, but were still fun to read. Additional information about the meadows habitat and the plants and animals that occupy it was given in the back of the book, which I found very helpful. There also were several websites listed for additional interaction and learning. The free "Pop Up Mouse and the Meadow" app, which enables you to view the book in 3D and interact with it, is a marvelous, innovative idea for those who have an Apple or Android device with a camera in the back. This book is my first introduction to Dawn Publications, and I intend to check out more of their books.
I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads, but was not obligated to give it a positive review. The opinions given are my true reactions to the book.
I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads, but was not obligated to give it a positive review. The opinions given are my true reactions to the book.
January 28, 2014
In a story told through rhyming text, a young mouse ventures forth into the meadow where he encounters friends and foes, including a honeybee, a caterpillar, a box turtle, a snake, and a great horned owl. The luminous illustrations are large, often allowing the intrepid adventurer and those he encounters to be seen up close or allowing one part of the animals such as the snake's fangs or the owl's talons to receive attention. There is a lesson here about being ready for the challenges each day brings as well as an excellent introduction to the habitat and inhabitants of the meadow. I enjoyed the book and the back matter that extends its content. It's a good choice for an elementary science class.
April 15, 2014
Received as first reads giveaway. The artwork is stunning. I like that the poetry is not simplified but utilizes polysyllabic words to introduce not only the nature of the meadow but language as well. The day after receiving this, was my neighbor's 4th birthday. I gave him this book for his birthday. He was enthralled with the pictures - especially the snake. His mother really liked the story and the additional information about the animals of the meadow found at the back of the book. I would recommend this to others.
May 5, 2014
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Wallace has an excellent rhythm to his text that blends fiction (talking animals, anthropomorphism) and nonfiction (scientific terminology, animal life). I was quite impressed by the unusual rhymes and the prominent use of nonfiction. The illustrations are eye-catching, bold, and anatomically correct. The supplemental material helps the reader and listener to separate fact from fiction but also provides some gray areas. This accessible and relevant information will be much appreciated by teachers.
Wallace has an excellent rhythm to his text that blends fiction (talking animals, anthropomorphism) and nonfiction (scientific terminology, animal life). I was quite impressed by the unusual rhymes and the prominent use of nonfiction. The illustrations are eye-catching, bold, and anatomically correct. The supplemental material helps the reader and listener to separate fact from fiction but also provides some gray areas. This accessible and relevant information will be much appreciated by teachers.
August 16, 2014
The illustrations in this were beautiful. The story is told in verse-- very long-winded verse. My 2 year old didn't make it through 3 pages before he was on to something else. I didn't get a chance to read it to my older kids, but it might have been tough for my 5 year old, too. If you have an older child with a long attention span, it will work for them.
January 26, 2014
The age range on this book says 4-10 and my 9 month old daughter loved it! It has cute rhymes, and a hero at the end. This book is perfect for any age and I will be recommending this book to others with kids. It was easy to read, flowed nicely and was entertaining even as adults.
December 22, 2013
Gorgeous illustrations. Poetry tracks well. Enough information about the meadow to be educational, yet entertaining.
April 26, 2014
I can't say enough good things about this beautifully illustrated picture book. Currently reviewing for Parent Magazine, more to follow.
September 22, 2014
The close-up realistic illustrations give us a mouse-eye view of life in the meadow in mostly golden hues. Four-line rhyming verses give details, and back matter rounds out the information base.
March 8, 2014
A very good childrens book. Adventurous and an easy read for the young ones in your life
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews