The Maple Festival

The Adventures of Sophie Mouse #5

by Poppy Green, Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrations)

Sophie Mouse is so excited to help her mother bake treats for Silverlake Forest’s big Maple Festival in the fifth book of The Adventures of Sophie Mouse.

It’s finally fall in Silverlake Forest, and that means it’s time for the annual Maple Festival! The animals have heard it is going to be the biggest one yet with games, rides and, of course, Lily Mouse’s famous maple-filled bake-stand. Sophie is delighted when her mother asks for her help baking the goodies for the festival. When they get there, Sophie runs off to play with her friends…until she notices that no one has come to her mother’s stand! Can she use some quick thinking and her artistic skills to draw customers in?

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Friendship, Middle Grade, 1st Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Poppy Green can talk to animals! Unfortunately, they never talk back to her. So she started writing in order to imagine what they might say and do when humans aren’t watching. Poppy lives on the edge of the woods in Connecticut, where her backyard is often a playground for all kinds of wildlife: birds, rabbits, squirrels, voles, skunks, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this installment in the sweet and adorable Sophie Mouse series. No peril here, just a delightfully atmospheric autumn festival complete with maple cookies, a game of "don't drop the acorn" (acorn on the spoon instead of an egg), and an apple art instillation. I appreciate that Sophie is very helpful with her mother's bakery and uses her passion for art to help make a difference at the festival.

[Meghan John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweetest little read for the fall 🍁

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of our favorite books in the series so far. Sophie's mom (a baker) is going to have a stand at the town maple festival and Sophie helps her come up with a bunch of new maple focused recipes. But then nobody comes to the stand so Sophie has to use her art to draw people in. I love a good carnival setting and then we made maple muffins in real life and it was a fun way to spend a rainy day.

[Hannah Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one. Sophie offered to help her mom’s market stand for the Maple Festival, with baking and recipe ideas and setting up, and even when she realized she wouldn’t be able to adventure with her friends, she was ready to stay and help at the stand (though her mom told her to go have fun, so she did. but she also came back.) Apple picking, leaf learning, creative baking, a festival, problem solving, art. It was cute.

[Isabella Leake · Rating 3 out of 5]

First buddyread with my daughter! She enjoyed the cute woodland world of the book; the different animals and their names seemed to make more of an impression on her than the storyline (which is admittedly just enough of a plot to give the cute animals something to do). I think she also felt less intimidated by a book with pictures on every page than a book with more text, even though texts by, say, Astrid Lindgren or Laura Ingalls Wilder aren't really any more difficult.

I myself wasn't enchanted by the book, but I was enchanted by the experience of reading it together. And I can hardly believe that one year ago I was wrapping up first buddyreads with my eldest—somehow over the past year all my children, almost simultaneously, have become independent readers.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud with 6yo & 4yo girls.

Fun seasonal book! We love this series for the sweet characters and gentle adventures. They’re perfect to snuggle up on the couch together or for your independent reading kids who are ready to dip their toes into the world of chapters. Large text and lots of charming illustrations keep the story moving and the readers engaged.

[Elsa Altschuler]

Very good for learning how to read!

[Belinda Buchenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for my bookclub with my friend and her daughter. Her daughter has started a small bookclub and this is her pick💗

[Family Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet and simple autumn read-aloud. I read this to my 3 & 6 year olds and they both give it 5 ⭐.

I personally give it 4 ⭐.

I will also hand this to my 8 year old to read independently.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I have read this twice! Highly recommend for a low-stakes, low-conflict cozy autumn read-aloud!

[Jennie Louwes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five-star rating for a Sophie Mouse book of goodness? You betcha!

This book makes Fall come alive. You're able to see it, taste it, hear it, feel it, and (if reading outside of the Fall season) will wish you were enveloped within in it too.

Not every nook and crany in America affords people an opportunity for some good, old-fashioned fun. This book serves to remind everyone the importance of taking time to breath each season in and embrace it for what it is. (And, might even have some city mice wishing they were country mice; perhaps, there just might be a mass migration?)

In this book, both Sophie Mouse and her mother learn important lessons. Sophie learns about work and responsibility; but, also about putting her proponderance of creative know-how to work for both her and her mother. In thinking critically, she's able to save the day! Sophie Mouse's mother, on the other hand, learns that just because someone is young doesn't mean they aren't capable. Irresponsibility and all, children are able to come through for the grown-ups in their lives when it matters most. They aren't only selfish beings but truly can be thoughtful creatures and are capable of putting others first.

Your little mouse might even learn a few baking tips along the way! Such as: "A teaspoon of baking power is usually plenty. A tablespoon is usually... a disaster." (page 46); "Stir just until all of the ingrediants are combined. Then the cookies will be soft and chewy." (page 48).

I'm reminded of a verse found in I Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

Sophie Mouse books are all things lovely and pure and serve to enhance a child's elementary years. I highly recommend!

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice little chapter book for children at this time of year. Sophie Mouse and her mother Lily make all kinds of yummy treats for the animals' Maple Festival. Jennifer Bell's black and white illustrations add dimension to the story.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg sugar overload...
Orange clove cake.
Maple apple muffins.
Cranberry nut cookies.
Oh, and a nice story, too. ;)

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute!

[Michael & Photini Holverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book covering important topics such as observation skills, helping family, and using one’s imagination.

[Kelsey Shenk]

Perfect fall read aloud to my 4yr old.. made me hungry everytime

[Aubrey]

Read Aloud book #1

Super cute, both boys loved it!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three stars are because my little kids liked it. But, as with all the other Sophie Mouse stories, there is yet another subtle message that I don’t like. In this one, Sophie’s mom is often referred to by her first name, even at times when we seem to be reading what Sophie is thinking. In speaking to her, she is addressed as Mom, but at other times when she is referenced in the story, it is as either Lily or Mrs. Mouse. There doesn’t seem to be another mouse family, so I don’t believe there would be confusion if we simply knew her as Mrs. Mouse. However, something about the usage of her first name seemed to be putting mother and daughter to a level of peers. Along with this, Sophie becomes her mother’s assistant for the Maple Festival. I liked that storyline until Sophie seemed to be the one in charge. She came up with the bulk of the treat ideas for the booth at the festival, and her mother made them happen. Her mother, who at the beginning of the series is written as an independent b7siness owner and highly expert baker, now comes across as someone who wouldn’t be able to find success without her 8-year-old.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series sounds really cute. I liked this story a lot and could follow the characters without having read any of the previous books, except I'm unsure why a mouse and a snake are friends.. There isn't a real message to this book, it's just a nice, simple read. The story is fun and interesting. It has illustrations to keep beginning readers into the story and help them figure out what's going on. I loved all the maple baked goods Sophie and her mom make but this book needs RECIPES! I wanted to try out some with my niece but sadly, there are none. I hope my niece(s) will read this series because I really liked it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My six year old daughter said that this book was her favorite of the whole series so far. She said the pictures looked tasty and she wanted to eat all of the foods that Sophie and her mom made for the Maple Festival. (I have to admit I agree with her. They all sounded delicious! I was actually hoping there would be recipes at the end of the book, but there wasn't.) My daughter also didn't think that anything bad happened in the book except for Sophie's mom not selling her baked products. Luckily she has Sophie to come to the rescue. This was a feel good book for young readers. Abundant pictures and large font type make this a perfect book for children who are transitioning over to reading chapter books.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6yo: 5 stars, but I wish I could give it 159 hundred stars!
I liked this story because it teached us to always be helpful to other people, just like I helped you make some delicious meatloaf and butternut squash last night! I loved the goodie treats! I want to make some cookies and cupcakes!

Mom: Probably my favorite Sophie Mouse stories yet. 😊 When Lily Mouse's baking assistant has to be away, Sophie eagerly steps in to help her mom prepare for the Maple Festival. She works hard without complaining and is a great help to her Mom.

[Emma McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good book. This mouse, her name is Sophie. There's this big festival and her mom has a bake sale. She got no customers until Sophie's friend had been looking for her. And then there was a whole line of animals. In the book, there's no people, there's animals. It's an animal book. It's my very first Sophie mouse. It's the first really long chapter book I've ever read. I liked reading it, but it's still hard.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is our first Sophie Mouse book, and I thought it would be a winner since it's about baking. Ella and I are full into our autumn bake off baking kick right now, so a mouse with a bakery seemed a good plan.
It was fine, cute even and the illustrations were adorable. It was Beatrix Potter for the modern child, I think I might just be over cute talking woodland animals.
Ella wants to say - I loved the part where they sell the cakes
Lovely illustrations 6/10 

[Amber Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really cute. Loved the different treats mentioned and Fall activities too. It reminded me of our State Fair or German Fest that we have in the Fall here in MS.

The food mentions in the story felt like The Maple Festival was a food book.

The adventures of Sophie Mouse is a cute kids book. I think younger kids (maybe 5-7) would enjoy it.

[raamat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, fluffy, and easy read that is perfect for Autumn! It’s made for young readers exploring chapter books, so it’s a quick read for more experienced readers. The book describes Fall baking and gets me in the mood to bake some pumpkin walnut muffins! The “Fall feels” are all over this story! I recommend!

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first chapter book that Emma has read. It was a great one for her and she really liked that she was reading it. The story is cute and sweet and has enough easy words that Emma could feel like she was reading a bunch of it. We will read more Sophie Mouse.

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud to the younger kids. This might be my favorite in the series so far. The illustrations continue to shine with so much emotion. I love how the characters help each other out and work together.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appropriate for: all ages!

My 4 year old daughter really likes Sophie mouse and so do I. The books have a clear, easy to understand good message. I liked how much Sophie Mouse helped her mom in this book.

[Jolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this quick to make sure it was good before we started it as one of our autumn family read alouds! So so cute and wholesome - perfect to read a few chapters every night during dinner. Added it to our list to get a copy.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is was my favorite Sophie Mouse book! Read together at bedtime with my 8 year old. Such cute stories and illustrations we love the series. The relationship with Sophie and her mom was so sweet in this book. Such a lovely fall chapter book!