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Holiday Mice
Christmas Mice!
Four cheerful mice hang stockings, string popcorn, wrap presents, sing carols, and become so busy that they almost forget to look out for their old enemy, the cat. Reprint.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Roberts
44 books17 followersI've wanted to be a children's book author as far back as I can remember. When I was eight years old I wrote a story about a rabbit. I am still writing stories about rabbits- and mice, cats, children, monsters, and dragons!
When I was growing up, I was the neighborhood storyteller. I would make up stories on the spot for younger children in the neighborhood. I read a lot of books. But I was also a bit of a tomboy. I spent much of my time outdoors, usually barefoot, climbing trees and stone-hopping across brooks.
On my way to becoming a children's book author, I was also a teacher and a children's librarian. I always liked story hours best. When my own children, Krista and Melissa, were small, I read to them constantly- stacks and stacks of books. I think I learned the most about writing from all that reading.
Today I live in Hamden, Connecticut, with my wonderfully encouraging and supportive husband, our two daughters, and our cat. We live in a white house with lots of flowers.
When I was growing up, I was the neighborhood storyteller. I would make up stories on the spot for younger children in the neighborhood. I read a lot of books. But I was also a bit of a tomboy. I spent much of my time outdoors, usually barefoot, climbing trees and stone-hopping across brooks.
On my way to becoming a children's book author, I was also a teacher and a children's librarian. I always liked story hours best. When my own children, Krista and Melissa, were small, I read to them constantly- stacks and stacks of books. I think I learned the most about writing from all that reading.
Today I live in Hamden, Connecticut, with my wonderfully encouraging and supportive husband, our two daughters, and our cat. We live in a white house with lots of flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 32 reviews
November 6, 2017
This is also available as a picture book and it might be a bit better that way. The book sometimes rhymes, and sometimes doesn't. I also got the feeling it would be a bit awkward to read to a group since it wasn't consistent in how the meter was done. The story was not very interesting. A bunch of mice are getting ready for the holiday and they even get and give a present to Cat, who is of course, an enemy. I haven't read enough of the others to tell if Cat is really a friend to them or if that was just the Christmas spirit even in Cat. The illustrations were the best part but I love Cushman's illustrations.
December 14, 2012
This is a short, fun book about mice preparing for Christmas. It's a bit young for our girls, but we'd read Halloween Mice!, Valentine Mice!, Fourth of July Mice!, etc., so I thought it would be fun to read this one, too.
The illustrations are completely adorable and the text has a bouncy, rhyming flow. There's a whole series of these stories featuring mice during various holidays and events. I'm not sure that we'll go out of our way to read the others, but I'm sure they are all light and fun reads for children.
The illustrations are completely adorable and the text has a bouncy, rhyming flow. There's a whole series of these stories featuring mice during various holidays and events. I'm not sure that we'll go out of our way to read the others, but I'm sure they are all light and fun reads for children.
December 9, 2017
I love a Christmas story and I love it even more when Grayson picks out a holiday-themed book from his school library. We have only read this one once but it was adorable and entertaining. I think I liked it a little more than Grayson because he's really into the rhyming stories and this one didn't have the right flow for him.
December 21, 2020
This book is so cute from the little mice to the storyline. The illustrations are colorful and cartoon like which is perfect for kids to read. My kids really enjoyed this short story about what really matters during the holidays which is not presents or decorations but giving to others. We loved this sweet story and for sure will add it to our Christmas book list. Comment down below on what is some of your favorite traditions that you have with your family.
January 7, 2019
Christmas Mice! Meh. This one won't become a Christmas classic in our household. But I can recommend another Christmas mouse book - The True Meaning of Crumbfest by David Weale, which is charming. And the audiobook version read by Antonia Fraser at five years old is lovely.
December 17, 2014
The holiday mice are preparing their home for Christmas, complete with a wreath, a tree, and lots of presents. But they receive one gift they didn't expect -- from the local cat, no less.
This quick, cute Christmas story is geared for early readers. It's a little awkward to read aloud in places where the rhyme scheme or rhythm are thrown off, but it's still festive and fun to share.
This quick, cute Christmas story is geared for early readers. It's a little awkward to read aloud in places where the rhyme scheme or rhythm are thrown off, but it's still festive and fun to share.
November 11, 2007
Very simple text using repetition. Mice decorate and prepare for Christmas, even exchanging gifts with the cat.
December 1, 2008
A simple, repititious reader that my children enjoy. I like it, too, because it is a short and satisfying read. :)
This is a cute series of books for different holidays.
This is a cute series of books for different holidays.
December 24, 2011
A cute little story about a grop of mice getting ready for Christmas. They even give a present to the cat.
November 11, 2015
Good for toddlers with it's simple text about preparing for Christmas.
June 20, 2018
6/19/18 Read with Naomi & Julia.
November 25, 2019
Cute and short picture book about some jolly mice getting ready for Christmas and spreading Christmas cheer. They receive a surprise gift and end up returning the favor.
November 30, 2020
Perfect little read for k to 1st grader. Repetitive words on each page which is wonderful learning tool with early readers.
November 29, 2021
This is a very basic book reader for younger kids that explores the mice who celebrate Christmas, their traditions and one very special turnaround moment.
Due to its Learn to Read status, this book's writing is quite basic with a very repetitive mock chorus that then leads to an activity followed by an action and a wrap-up sentence that repeats the last word three times. As a result if repetitive is a plague read to you then this isn't the book to pick-up and share.
The illustrations are fun, brightly colored and capture what the Spirit of Christmas may look like from a mouse's point-of-view. Although not really realistic, these anthropomorphic mice are rather kind of cute.
All in all it was cute but not too fun to read for a seasonal bedtime story.
Due to its Learn to Read status, this book's writing is quite basic with a very repetitive mock chorus that then leads to an activity followed by an action and a wrap-up sentence that repeats the last word three times. As a result if repetitive is a plague read to you then this isn't the book to pick-up and share.
The illustrations are fun, brightly colored and capture what the Spirit of Christmas may look like from a mouse's point-of-view. Although not really realistic, these anthropomorphic mice are rather kind of cute.
All in all it was cute but not too fun to read for a seasonal bedtime story.
February 22, 2024
I can imagine a rousing rendition by the time the Christmas Mice get to singing "Away in a Manger." To them, surely this would count as such a friendly kind of song, whether or not the Christ child is there in that manger.
Seriously, no nostalgia tunes about place where mice might hang out... find their way into this book. Instead, these four mice are just like humans, the way they:
* Hang stockings -- although mice don't wear stockings.
* String popcorn -- hey, to them this could be like snack food and dental floss, all wrapped up into one tree decoration.
One way they're not so much like humans involves how the local cat is their enemy, not their pet!
FIVE STARS for a Level 1 Reader that's packed with fun.
Seriously, no nostalgia tunes about place where mice might hang out... find their way into this book. Instead, these four mice are just like humans, the way they:
* Hang stockings -- although mice don't wear stockings.
* String popcorn -- hey, to them this could be like snack food and dental floss, all wrapped up into one tree decoration.
One way they're not so much like humans involves how the local cat is their enemy, not their pet!
FIVE STARS for a Level 1 Reader that's packed with fun.
December 13, 2021
Mice celebrate Christmas.
Woodland mice decorate, bake, and wrap presents. Then they go out caroling, and when they return, they discover the local cat has left them a gift. This prompts them to give the cat a present in return.
This book exemplifies the peace, laying aside of grudges, and goodwill aspect of the Christmas holiday.
The text is simple and easy to read but occasionally stilted due to the rhyme scheme.
Woodland mice decorate, bake, and wrap presents. Then they go out caroling, and when they return, they discover the local cat has left them a gift. This prompts them to give the cat a present in return.
This book exemplifies the peace, laying aside of grudges, and goodwill aspect of the Christmas holiday.
The text is simple and easy to read but occasionally stilted due to the rhyme scheme.
November 29, 2018
This is one of those books that I feel I should like more than I actually do. It's cute, but it's awfully hard to read aloud. The flow just isn't there. I've used it in a pinch, but it's not a favorite.
July 31, 2021
Eh. It was okay, definitely not going to be a favorite.
Mice celebrating Christmas with a lot of repeating bits. Kiddo wasn't that into it, but she is only 16 months at the moment. We will see how she likes it as she gets older.
Mice celebrating Christmas with a lot of repeating bits. Kiddo wasn't that into it, but she is only 16 months at the moment. We will see how she likes it as she gets older.
December 14, 2018
Day 13 Book Advent Calendar 2018
The flow of this book was off... I thought maybe I was reading it at the wrong pace but no... it was just odd.
The flow of this book was off... I thought maybe I was reading it at the wrong pace but no... it was just odd.
December 17, 2018
Sweet book, but parts went together rather random. Great illustrations.
January 31, 2021
This is a sweet Christmas book. It tells a story in poetry, with nice illustrations. The best thing is the ending, about how to create peace through being loving!
December 16, 2021
#102 of 2021
#5 of 2021 Christmas / Holiday Reads
Cute story about mice getting ready for Christmas 🎄.
Sometimes it rhymes, other times not.
#5 of 2021 Christmas / Holiday Reads
Cute story about mice getting ready for Christmas 🎄.
Sometimes it rhymes, other times not.
December 2, 2022
Perfect board book for Christmas.
December 18, 2025
Very cute!!!!!
March 2, 2025
In this beautifully illustrated story, the Christmas mice decorate and celebrate for Christmas. When they see cat footprints in the snow, they run home to be safe and find a surprise.
December 15, 2012
My 5 year old hated this book. After finishing this book, he looked at me and asked if I was kidding. Then told me to get rid of it. It's not that he hates books, he loves them, but he is used to things like Magic Treehouse and The Hardy Boys... yes, chapter books, he enjoys other Christmas books, like The Night Before Christmas, but this book was just horrible. I agree with him.
January 28, 2012
Cute enough, but a bit empty for me.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 32 reviews