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Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale
In a castle on a hill, in a great grand hall,
mice are getting ready for the Mousequerade Ball.
They dress in their finest. What a grand affair!
But when an unexpected guest arrives,
the mice get quite a scare. Is the evening ruined? Should they run in fright?
Or will a gallant mouse stand up and save the splendid night? Counting up to ten and back again, dancing all the while, this delightful story invites readers--and dancers--to the event of the the Mousequerade Ball!
mice are getting ready for the Mousequerade Ball.
They dress in their finest. What a grand affair!
But when an unexpected guest arrives,
the mice get quite a scare. Is the evening ruined? Should they run in fright?
Or will a gallant mouse stand up and save the splendid night? Counting up to ten and back again, dancing all the while, this delightful story invites readers--and dancers--to the event of the the Mousequerade Ball!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2016
21 people want to read
About the author
Lori Mortensen
77 books30 followersLori Mortensen is an award-winning children's author of more than 100 books. Her books, which reviewers have praised as “stellar” “as good as it gets” and “begs to be read aloud,” have been published by such notable publishers as HarperCollins, Henry Holt, Abrams, Bloomsbury, and Peachtree. Popular releases include, Arlo Draws an Octopus, illustrated by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Rob Sayegh, Jr., If Wendell Had a Walrus, illustrated by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Matt Phelan, Cowpoke Clyde Rides the Range, a Bill Martin Jr., Picture Book Award Nominee and the sequel to Amazon bestseller Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg, and picture book biographies Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey and Away with Words, the Daring True Story of Explorer Isabella Bird.
When she’s not greeting geese at the lake, or putting her nose in a mystery, she’s tapping away at her keyboard, conjuring, coaxing, and prodding her latest stories to life. Today, she lives in the foothills of Northern California with her family and all birds that flock to her feeder—including a gluttonous squirrel.
When she’s not greeting geese at the lake, or putting her nose in a mystery, she’s tapping away at her keyboard, conjuring, coaxing, and prodding her latest stories to life. Today, she lives in the foothills of Northern California with her family and all birds that flock to her feeder—including a gluttonous squirrel.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 28, 2016
The text in this book rhymes. It is a counting book which counts up to ten and then back down to one.
I liked the whimsical illustrations of the mice.
One small mouse lights a wee match,
puffs on the twigs till the hot flames catch.
I received a copy of Mousequerade Ball in board book format for review purposes.
I liked the whimsical illustrations of the mice.
One small mouse lights a wee match,
puffs on the twigs till the hot flames catch.
I received a copy of Mousequerade Ball in board book format for review purposes.
March 7, 2022
Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children/ Picture book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children/ Picture book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
August 28, 2016
A counting story reminiscent of the Twelve Days of Christmas that covers numbers 1-10 and back again and details the fancy masquerade ball that the mice throw only to be surprised by an unexpected guest: a cat!
Watercolor artwork. A fun read aloud for PreK-2 with rhyming text.
Watercolor artwork. A fun read aloud for PreK-2 with rhyming text.
November 28, 2016
One of my all time favorite books is Lori Mortensen's Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg so I was eager to read this title. It didn't disappoint, Mousequerade Ball is a fun, rhyming romp with a surprise ending; Little ones who are learning their numbers will love it
February 3, 2018
A cleverly planned rhyming counting book. Mice counting from 1 - 10 are enjoying a mousequerade ball when an uninvited guest arrives. The mice scramble and run to hide - counting from 10 - 1.
April 26, 2025
4/26/25: Cute counting book.
May 3, 2016
In a castle on a hill, in a great big hall, mice are getting ready for the Mousequerade Ball. They dress in their finest, they light up the hall. The mice come to feast and to dance and to have a grand time.
When an unexpected guest--a cat no less!--arrives at the hall, most of the mice are thrown into a frenzy. Just when the ball seems ruined, one brave mouse steps forward and sets the party back on course in Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Rhyming text lends a nice rhythm to this counting tell that starts with one great hall and builds as preparations are made and guests arrive for the Mousequerade Ball. When a cat comes to the party, the story begins counting down as the guests panic and consider running away. That is, at least, until one lone mouse declares that she has invited the cat to the ball to come and dance (which he does!).
This is a whimsical story that will charm readers of all ages. The counting text and rhymes make it appealing to even the youngest readers. Lewin's illustrations add a nice dimension to the story with additional details and a touch of whimsy depicting the mice in their finery and frippery.
Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale is a great choice for storytime or one-on-one reading. The counting elements, rhymed text, and detailed illustrations guarantee it will stand up well to multiple readings.
When an unexpected guest--a cat no less!--arrives at the hall, most of the mice are thrown into a frenzy. Just when the ball seems ruined, one brave mouse steps forward and sets the party back on course in Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Rhyming text lends a nice rhythm to this counting tell that starts with one great hall and builds as preparations are made and guests arrive for the Mousequerade Ball. When a cat comes to the party, the story begins counting down as the guests panic and consider running away. That is, at least, until one lone mouse declares that she has invited the cat to the ball to come and dance (which he does!).
This is a whimsical story that will charm readers of all ages. The counting text and rhymes make it appealing to even the youngest readers. Lewin's illustrations add a nice dimension to the story with additional details and a touch of whimsy depicting the mice in their finery and frippery.
Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale is a great choice for storytime or one-on-one reading. The counting elements, rhymed text, and detailed illustrations guarantee it will stand up well to multiple readings.
May 9, 2016
I always enjoy reading picture books that contain both a charming story and an education tale, so I loved delving into the adorable Mousequerade Ball: A Counting Tale.
Author Lori Mortensen introduces us to a group of young mice, who are getting ready for their annual ball. As they go through the process of getting ready - from warming up the ballroom, to musicians practicing their songs - Mortensen cleverly integrates an increasing number scale with each new activity. However, an unexpected guest arrives to turn the evening upside down...
Much like the classic Christmas song A Partridge in a Pair Tree, Mortensen's way of integrating counting into her tale is nothing but fun, especially when paired with Mortensen's short and enjoyable rhymes. Readers will like appreciate her build-up to the ball as well; she does a nice job of focusing on the anticipating that many feel when attending a dance or a formal event.
Though the book is interrupted by an unexpected guest, Mortensen helpfully continues to drive the action forward with a descending countdown showing how the guests react to said unexpected guest. While the book ends with a nice resolution, it's the thrill of both the lead-up to the ball and the descending moments, that will stick with young readers.
The watercolor illustrations by Betsy Lewin are vibrant and lovely, and help bring the vibrancy and fairytale magic of this story to life.
Author Lori Mortensen introduces us to a group of young mice, who are getting ready for their annual ball. As they go through the process of getting ready - from warming up the ballroom, to musicians practicing their songs - Mortensen cleverly integrates an increasing number scale with each new activity. However, an unexpected guest arrives to turn the evening upside down...
Much like the classic Christmas song A Partridge in a Pair Tree, Mortensen's way of integrating counting into her tale is nothing but fun, especially when paired with Mortensen's short and enjoyable rhymes. Readers will like appreciate her build-up to the ball as well; she does a nice job of focusing on the anticipating that many feel when attending a dance or a formal event.
Though the book is interrupted by an unexpected guest, Mortensen helpfully continues to drive the action forward with a descending countdown showing how the guests react to said unexpected guest. While the book ends with a nice resolution, it's the thrill of both the lead-up to the ball and the descending moments, that will stick with young readers.
The watercolor illustrations by Betsy Lewin are vibrant and lovely, and help bring the vibrancy and fairytale magic of this story to life.
June 15, 2016
Mice! Getting ready for a ball! Costumes and excitement and beautiful illustrations set the mood for this fun night ahead of all of these mice. There's a nice cadence to the rhyming and counting up to Ten - AND THEN A THING HAPPENS! There's a Cat at the Ball! Quickly counting back down, the mice must scurry to safety because CAT!
Until the last mouse says HEY WAIT YOU GUYS Cat's in a mask - Cat just wants to be a part of our party! So Cat is. And it is great.
Combining counting up and down (I have my daughter help me with this when we read it) is a great momentum for the book. The illustrations are fun and engaging. I also love the message of being inclusive and not judging someone's intentions before you know what's up.
My 3 year old wants to read this every night. Which is a big deal, because she has MANY books to read. This is one of our tried and true favorites already!
Until the last mouse says HEY WAIT YOU GUYS Cat's in a mask - Cat just wants to be a part of our party! So Cat is. And it is great.
Combining counting up and down (I have my daughter help me with this when we read it) is a great momentum for the book. The illustrations are fun and engaging. I also love the message of being inclusive and not judging someone's intentions before you know what's up.
My 3 year old wants to read this every night. Which is a big deal, because she has MANY books to read. This is one of our tried and true favorites already!
September 29, 2016
This is just kind of an average little counting book. I found the illustrations to be charming. The text was a little complex for my kindergarteners. They found the cat to be hilarious though because he is so big!
May 25, 2016
Cute way for young kids to learn how to count! Perfect for preschool kids!
December 8, 2016
Cute version of cinderella
June 15, 2016
Decent counting book.
July 8, 2016
Counting storytime
July 19, 2016
Counts up to ten and down again in rhyme that isn't too horrible.
July 19, 2016
Charming and enjoyable counting book.
July 27, 2016
Cute counting and rhyming story with mice getting ready for a ball, with an unexpected guest sending them running.
November 8, 2016
This one is very silly. Fun, lively illustrations.
December 21, 2016
We loved this book so much by Gigi age 5
March 26, 2017
Cute counting story.
April 29, 2017
The mice have planned the greatest event of the season, a Mousequerade ball. When all is ready, there shows up a guest who leaves everyone nervous. What does he want?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews