Abracadabra!: Magic with Mouse and Mole

Wong Herbert Yee's Mouse and Mole

by Wong Herbert Yee

Mouse and Mole are very excited. Minkus the Magnificent is in town—ONE SHOW ONLY!—and they can’t wait to sit in the front row and see his tricks. After the abracadabras happen, though, something goes a bit wrong—and Mole is very disappointed to discover that magic is sometimes not exactly what it seems. How will Mouse help her friend realize that there is magic happening right in front of their very eyes? Wong Herbert Yee gives readers another grand adventure with two best friends, Mouse and Mole, who, despite their different outlooks on life, manage to show each other that friendship itself is a magical event!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Friendship, Magic, Fiction, Chapter Books, 2nd Grade

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of seven. My first grade teacher tacked a drawing of mine, Horse with Feedbag up on the bulletin board. From there I went on to study art at Wayne State University, graduating in 1975 with a BFA in printmaking. I had my fair share of rejections at the start, but through perseverance my first picture book, EEK! There’s a Mouse in the House was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1992. My latest early reader, Mouse and Mole Fine Feathered Friends received a 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award.

Reviews

[Spencer Orey]

These books are the best. I love mouse and mole, and I wish more kids books had friendships like this one.

[Alyisha]

I'm not sure if kids will like this book or not, but what a great story to give to an adult who's feeling down: magic exists (& kindness, & beauty) -- you just have to pay attention, and give the world time to do its thing. <3

[Meredith]

This picture book features four stories about Mouse and Mole:
• "Two Tickets"
• "Minkus the Magnificent"
• "No Magic"
• "Moon and Stars"

In "Two Tickets," Mole is impatient to attend a magic show, and Mouse has trouble deciding what to wear.

In "Minkus the Magnificent," Mouse and Mole attend a magic show.

In "No Magic," Mole is sadden by the idea that there is no magic in the world, following the disappointing magic show.

In "Moon and Stars," Mouse puts on a magic show for Mole.

These are four gentle stories about two woodland animals who are friends. They emphasize friendship, thoughtfulness, and consideration for others. They also focus on common occurrences, which affords young readers the opportunity to reflect on their own experience and the experience of others.

[Tristan]

I am 8 so this is too easy for my normal reading, but couldn't resist listening to my Mom read to my younger sibs.

Mom: Cute story with nice way of showing the "habits" of Mole. The story attempts to explain mysteries we see by weaving the tricks of magicians and miracles of nature. Not sure the six year old "got it" but we enjoyed it's perfect length as I am trying to stretch her attention from picture books to chapter books. I found the language of switching "voices" a little awkward at moments and thought if I read it another time I would develop "voices" to help her keep track of who says what.

[Margaret]

This falls into a category of books I have a hard time fitting into my current rating structure. It's a cute book, and I like the art style. If I had read it as a child, I'm sure nostalgia would make me rate it highly and look forward to rereading it... But I read Frog and Toad, not Mouse and Mole.

I appreciate the "magic in nature" (for lack of a better word) moral.

[karen.yates02gmail.com]

Great book for bedtime

This is a great book to read right before bedtime to help wind down the little one’s. It has a nice story line to it and it’s just long enough.

[Jo Oehrlein]

Mouse and Mole go to see a magician and unfortunately discover how one of his tricks works!

Mouse and Mole put on their own magic show.

[Lori]

Excellent beginning chapter reader.

[Dodie]

As an adult reading this book, I smiles as a tear rolled down my cheek. If you never start to loose faith in the power of magic, read this book.

[Mackenzie Myers]

I love this cute series of books. This was one of my favorites.

[Gail]

These are cute books- reminds me of Frog & Toad.

[Emma]

The high pitched squeaky voice was irritating to listen to. Nails on a chalkboard effect…

[Shannon]

Amazon Book Description:
Mouse and Mole are very excited. Minkus the Magnificent is in town—ONE SHOW ONLY!—and they can’t wait to sit in the front row and see his tricks. After the abracadabras happen, though, something goes a bit wrong—and Mole is very disappointed to discover that magic is sometimes not exactly what it seems. How will Mouse help her friend realize that there is magic happening right in front of their very eyes? Wong Herbert Yee gives readers another grand adventure with two best friends, Mouse and Mole, who, despite their different outlooks on life, manage to show each other that friendship itself is a magical event!

[Penny Peck]

An easy reader featuring a classic "Odd Couple," this time a mouse and a mole. One unique aspect of their friendship is that mole is male, and mouse is female, yet they are still best friends (a great example for kids to see). Mole loves magic but is disillusioned after seeing a magic show. Mouse shows him the magic in nature. The reading level is comparable to "Frog and Toad;" this is a little longer than most easy readers and the cartoonish watercolor and ink illustrations add zest and humor.

[Dolly]

This is a fun tale in the Mouse and Mole series by Wong Herbert Yee. The story is broken up into short chapters/stories and with colorful illustrations, it's great for young children who are just starting to read chapter books. It's a story of friendship and the amazing sleight of hand that we call magic. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Angela Hutchinson]

In this book, Mole and Mouse attend a magic show where Mole finds out that Minkus the Magnificent is a fraud. Next, Mouse shows Mole the magic on other things then he invites him to a magic show where Mole can see that there is real magic. This is a good book for students around the second grade or a read-a-loud for kindergarten.

[(NS)JenniferA]

I think this book would be perfect for a young reader who is interested in getting into chapter books. The book is set up in chapters, but it is not terribly challenging. I thought the story was good, just not my favorite. I would not use this as a read aloud.

[Katt Hansen]

I love how the friendship between Mouse and Mole is portrayed. They are so different but they care deeply for each other. Here Mouse takes Mole's disappointment in a magic show gone wrong, and turns it into a lesson about nature and true magic (and friendship).

[Amy Brown]

This is a series. Mouse and Mole are ready for an exciting magic show but the show ends up not being what they think it should be. They are left to try and find really magic. AR 2.6

[Donalyn]

When Mouse and Mole visit a magic show, Mole discovers that there is no magic in the world-- only tricks. Mouse finds a creative way to show her friend that there really is magic in the world.

[Esther May]

I love how mouse and mole are such good friends. They are always thinking of each other and how they can help the other to feel happy. This is a cute story about their friendship.

[Tiffany]

My daughter loved it, although I don't think she understood very much of it. She's not too familiar with magic and magic tricks, so she didn't get a lot of the underlying story line.

[Maxwell]

There are better buddy type books. Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad or George and Martha, for instance.

[Graciela León]

Great short story about friendship, empathy, patience, perseverance and—yes, you bet—realism! Beautiful, profound, touching reading that fits everyday, specially hard days endings.

[Lisa]

I believe in magic

You will too. A sweet story about how magic is all around us. Some magic takes a little time. Bravo!

[Hillvan]

410L

[Elizabeth]

Mouse and Mole go to see a magician but Mole is disappointed when he discovers how the tricks are done. Mouse takes it upon herself to teach Mole a different definition of magic! Yay! Delightful!

[Nathan Meier]

An outstanding story with some real magic!

[Amy]

3.5 stars.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K]

Family read aloud