Mouse's First Christmas

Mouse's Firsts

by Lauren Thompson

While exploring the new sights, smells, and sounds in the house on Christmas Eve, a little mouse discovers the tree, a candle, a candy cane, a stocking, a jingle bell, presents, and Santa Claus.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Holiday, Animals, Fiction

34 pages, Board Book

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[C. (Comment, don't blank click reviews). · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year ago, my cat carried home an infant mouse. At the impossibility of finding his family’s nest in the countryside, we could only do our best to raise him. He was with us four days and will never be forgotten. Except that he was so young his eyes were closed: the much beloved mouse of this story reminds me of him very much. It is a personal connection that makes the little face in this story poignant and overwhelmingly touching for me. I am so affected by that character’s precious face and the love understandably expressed for him, that I am keeping this heart-warming book. I have found other copies to give my brother’s children.

This was published in 1999 by Lauren Thompson & Buket Erdogan. A face and body as sweet as this little guy’s on the cover and the title “Mouse’s First Christmas”, indicating he is a baby too; drew me to buy it at a charity sale last year without hesitation. Lauren’s story in very short, easy words for toddlers is about this sweetheart freely exploring the house in which his family lives, expressing the wonderment of all the Christmas decorations and traditions he sees. Buket’s drawings are undeniably precious, with a soft shading style that somehow succeeds at giving the scenes a brightness and strong emotions.

Santa recognizes this mouse and gives him an adorably tiny present. Before he joyously shows it to his parents on the closing page, Santa says the sweetest thing I have ever read: that no one is loved more than this mouse! These words are the most powerful any could be, as the images show this dearly precious little guy. The mouse I helped a year ago loved me and I him, instantly. We remember you always, our Baby Mouse!

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story! Illustrations are beautiful. My 2 year old niece enjoys this book and pointing out the mouse on each page.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for young listeners - a description and the object named.

Ages: 2 - 5

Cleanliness: Has Santa Claus.

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[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. A mouse is peeking all around the house to see what he can find. I appreciated that most of what he found is written in the shape of the object (It was a cookie was written in a circle. It was a candy cane was shaped like a candy cane, etc.) The story is short and there is not a lot to it, but my youngest (4) enjoyed it.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mouse book, this time about Christmas. All my kids are enjoying little mouse discover things from different holidays. I, myself, am enjoying the paintings that look like closeups of brushed on canvas. Really pretty, and a great addition to the book!

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have been reading our baby a Christmas or winter themed book each night and we just read “A Creature Was Stirring”, and loved the premise of everyone in the house being asleep…except for the mouse! I found this book for a dollar at my local library book sale and snatched it up. The two stories are very similar but not TOO similar. Silly and so sweet.

The teacher in me thinks these books would make a great compare and contrast lesson! Hahaha!

But I would recommend either book, as both were so cute and I can see toddlers and elementary aged students loving the cute story.

[Pen&Quill Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Quill's thoughts....

"Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house no on is loved more then you...

Little mouse."

Oh my goodness, this book is soooo cute!🐁It's main character is a little mouse spending the night before it's first Christmas exploring all the new things that Christmas time brings, such as things that are boxy & ribbony🎁, or bright and flickery🕯️, or warm and melty☕. With beautiful full page illustrations that will delight both parents and children alike and charming message this book is a December must read!

Merry Christmas!🌲

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved reading these enchanting books, as seen from the perspective of a tiny mouse, exploring his house and making amazing discoveries during the holidays. My youngest would stand on tiptoe at the bin of board books in the library, make her selections and then she would carry an armload to the checkout; this book was often among them. She would be at her happiest with a stack of board books beside her on the car ride home, "reading" them and chattering about them the whole way.

We have this book in the hardcover edition, but I prefer the board book, because of the special memories I have of my child's love for board books and because of the special connection we enjoyed while reading them together. I was so tired with my second child that we spent many, many hours cuddled up and reading books. As a result, she could tell a story with a beginning, a middle and an ending and a detailed plot by the age of three. She wrote a 50-page book in grade school, during her free time. There is no substitute for reading with your children and then letting your children read to you. They need to do this to develop fluency in reading, speaking and writing. My baby still loves to read aloud to me to this day.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a little family restaurant in a small village in France, Pierre wants to be a chef like his father and grandfather, but he is told that he's too young to cook. When a special customer comes a great distance to eat at their restaurant, Pierre finds out by accident that the man is a food critic who can give stars to very, very good restaurants. This is very important, so Pierre does all he can to help his parents without telling them who the man is. He adds an unusual ingredient to one dish, which upsets his father, but it's too late to do anything about it. The end result was not what anyone expected, but Pierre had kept his honour and gained his father's respect.

A sweet story with lovely illustrations.

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a terrific book to describe what your first Christmas is like. You wander around trying to figure everything out and use your senses (touch, taste, see) to get the ultimate picture of what Christmas is really like. This book would be good for the really young kids that still can't read yet. It will keep their attention as it isn't very long but it will keep them interested to find out what the holiday is really about.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the descriptive words, especially "felty" in this book. It's fun to say them out loud. I also like how what they're describing is set off by itself, giving opportunity to invite your child to come up with the answer of what the author is talking about, helping them to think in terms of answering riddles. The artwork is beautiful, and just fun to look at. This is a quiet Christmas book, perfect for reading next to the tree before bed.

[Angie Fehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the line "Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." But maybe it's not entirely accurate. Here we see what they mouse was REALLY up to when the rest of the house slept. Little mouse takes in all the wonderous sights of Christmas -- the snacks, drinks, lights, decorations, even the big man in red himself! It's hard not to have an awww moment when you get to the line, "No one is loved more than you, little mouse."

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late one winter night, Mouse discovers new sights, smells, and tastes: sweet and sparkly cookies, jingly and glinty bells, and lots of boxy and ribbony presents. Mouse doesn't know what any of it means, until a whiskery and jolly guest arrives with a very special holiday message.

The illustrations a large and text is simple. This book works well for both toddlers and preschool.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouse explores the Christmas sights, sounds, and smells and meets Santa! The text reads like it should be a lift-the-flap story in which Mouse discovers something and it is loosely described, then readers lift the flap to reveal the object and test their guesses. Paintings are full of warmth and evoke a cozy feeling. PreK-2.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful artwork! Similar to that of Anna Dewdney. Follow mouse as he discovers all of the little "essentials" that make for a great Christmas season. Perfect for little ones with short attention spans.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and simple story about a little mouse that is discovering all sorts of wonderful Christmasy things on his very first Christmas. I love the illustrations and the way the things are described before it tells what they are.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE!!! I found it at Salvation Army & bought it for my son's First Christmas. I have been reading it to him every night since December 1rst. It is easy to read in ASL signs as well which is a bonus.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been using a lot of the "Mouse's First..." books for my class of students with communication disabilities and they work really well. They have simple text but there are lots of rhyming and onomatopoeia. They also lend themselves well to sequencing. This one of the series was really cute.

[Lisa Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is lovely book. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, and my daughter enjoyed it at ages 1.5-2 years.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this series are great and the books are nice and short so younger toddlers can enjoy them without getting bored

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet. I will make this an annual Christmas story.

[Melany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute christmas story, great for family reunions

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better christmas stories for children.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A newer addition to the Christmas festival of books. It's okay. Pretty pictures.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3 year old love all these mouse board books by this author!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Little Mouse's first Christmas and there is lots to see!

Students can use describing words for things they see at Christmas and have their classmates guess what they are describing.

[Jessica Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my cousin and she loved it. Since it is Christmas time it made me feel all bubbly inside. :)

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series . . . . the simplicity of it appeals to me.