A Ball For All

Max Mouse #2

by Brigitte Weninger, Eve Tharlet (Illustrations)

When a mean bully named Rico steals their ball, Max the mouse, instead of being angry, takes the advice of his mother and invites Rico to play with them much to the chagrin of the other animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2006

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happy to find another Eve Tharlet book as I very much enjoyed her illustrations (and the story) in A Promise Is a Promise. They are still endearing in this book, and we have another cast of fun and unusual woodland characters (a mole, for example) but the story was a bit lackluster for me. The left-out, greedy rat (? I think it's a rat) who steals a ball from a group of friends... the thoughtful little mouse who thinks that maybe there is a reason for the rat's unkindness and that maybe they could do something to help... it all screams a conclusion about acceptance and reaching out to others. And that's a great message, I've just seen it done better.

One thing I did appreciate about this story, though, is the subtle way it addresses physical challenges. The little mouse has one leg shorter than another and limps a bit, the mole has poor eyesight (naturally!), and the frog has trouble hearing. But, when they all play together, their united strengths compensate for what might otherwise be seen as an individual weakness. And, in the end, they all have a ball!

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 1 out of 5]

درک مفهوم این داستان برای کودکان مبهم است و نیازمند توضیح؛ احترامی برای این اثر قائل نیستم.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is worth a read. I don't necessarily like the writing and I can't put my finger on what it is, but I love the concept. That's the only reason it doesn't have a 5-star rating. It is very inclusive with a mouse that has one shorter leg (he wears a bit of bark strapped to one foot), a mole that can't see very well, etc. It doesn't linger on their "disabilities, but they are subtly present. I also love that the characters were proactive about solving their own problem. They didn't run to their parents to fix things. The kids even waited until the next day to try another tactic when the first attempt failed. In the end the mouse reached out to the bully in a non-threatening way and ended up with a new friend. It teaches the "love those that hate you" concept without being preachy.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked the story and illustrations. Though it taught good lessons about sharing, making friends, disabilities, including everyone, and dealing with bullies. Could be a great springboard for discussing why people are mean and how we should respond.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a pretty good story and some pretty good illustrations, and, yet, it doesn't quite work. I think the delivery of the writing is the failing.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaunista grafiikkaa ja kiva tarinakin.