Mouse Makes Words: A Phonics Reader

by Kathryn Heling, Deborah Hembrook, Patrick Joseph (Illustrator)

A little mouse zooms about changing letters—for example, substituting P for C to change a Cup into a Pup. A beginning reader rhyming extravaganza that emphasizes initial sound substitution.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2000

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mouse literally builds rhymes by tearing the first letters off a series of words and replacing them with different letters. The rhyme scheme also gets fractured in the process.

My daughter was not impressed when she was three, and I remain unimpressed a couple decades later.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis: "A little mouse zooms about changing letters—for example, substituting P for C to change a Cup into a Pup. A beginning reader rhyming extravaganza that emphasizes initial sound substitution."

My Review: This might be the best Level One early reader book I have come across. Munchkin has been carrying this one around with him everywhere because he is so proud to be able to read so much of it on his own. While it isn't quite a traditional story, it does have enough of a plot line to keep kids interested. It combines the story with fun rhymes and short, easy words to sound out. Definitely one worth picking up for your young emerging reader.

[Cara Noles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouse Makes Words is about a cute little grey mouse that is talking about words. The mouse keeps on rhyming throughout the book. The mouse also is using phonics and replacing the first letter of a word with another letter to form a new word.

I think this book is very clever in teaching phonics to young readers. I liked the mouse changing out the letters, but I thought the drawings could be done better. Whenever they replaced the letter with a new one it would have an object along with the letter, for example C stood for Cat. I enjoyed the rhyme and the lively pictures.

If I used this in the classroom I would read the book, but beforehand I would introduce them to phonics (so it will be easier to follow along). After reading the students could do a worksheet about phonics, and create their own by replacing the first letter.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play with phonics, thanks to an exceedingly clever mouse.

"He finds new ways to make a rhyme
by switching letters every time."

What a delightful adventure, for readers and also for playful people of any age! Marvelous illustrations add to the fun.

IT'S A ROMP

It's a dance.
Seemingly spontaneous.
It's fun-fun-fun.

Goodreaders, this book helped me to fall in love with reading all over again.

FIVE STARS for this creatively educational book. I'd go so far as to call it must reading for emerging readers.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Mouse takes away the first letter of a word, replaces it with a new letter and discovers a new word.

A good way for kids to figure out how spelling and rhyming works more mechanically. The authors and illustrator were creative with how the letters are taken away each time, also demonstrating some good variety in their writing. A good pick for kids just learning to read. See if they can figure out the new word before it is read.

[Arwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this one so that Little Bug would have a new book that she could read on her own. She like to make a game out of changing the words again after she's finished the book. Unlike some of the other Step Into Reading books this was is not as interesting for the adult being read to.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mouse rearranges letters to create rhyming words. This is an early reader and I like the concept it shows, but some of the words on the pages that explain what mouse is doing to start are a bit difficult for the level, I think.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is good with teaching initial sounds. The illustrations are fun so it keeps the students engaged.

[Salwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun book for understanding rhyming.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son read two books today. I had to coax him through the first one, but he didn't want to put this one down!

Logan: my favorite word change was washing away the M in mop and making a top.

[Ella Zig · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple and effective phonics book for any young one who is
learning to read

[Little Champs]

2987

[Emily Myhren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple intro to rhyming words.

[Jaime T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fin reading favorite

[Scarlett Mirano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew letters could do so much?!

[Grace Moore]

This book is considered a "Step Into Reading: Step 1". It serves as an introductory book into a child learning about phonics. Phonics involves the awareness of sounds in words and the sounds that are blended together to make up different word combinations. In this book, the mouse moves the first letter of the word around, and in doing so creates different words. For example, the /m/ in "mop" is moved and replaced with a /t/ to create the word "top". Not only does this story include rhyming words, but it also is a great way to teach a child that new words can be created by just simply changing a letter. This will lead to the child being able to create new words and to expand their vocabulary. After reading this book, the teacher could give the children a word, such as "cat" and then have them all list words that rhyme with cat by having them replace the /c/ with different phonemes. Each child can take turns reading their rhyming word list aloud.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Level 1 Ready to Read Phonics

The little guy just turned 4 in June. He caught on to this book fairly quickly. I also read him Mouse's Hide-and-Seek Words but he didn't quiet understand that one so we'll be reading it again in a few months. The series continues with Mouse Makes Magic: Phonics Reader for level 2 readers.

[Lastrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! In this picture book mouse is very busy making words,in this case rhyming words. He pushes, pulls and carries letters continuously throughout story. The illustrator uses large, bright, capital letters along with colorful pictures to hold the child's or readers interest. This is a good and easy read for early and primary level students. I would recommend this book for any classroom because it addresses multiple skills such as letter recognition, sound and pronunciation. It adds even more interest when the reader adds sound when applicable with the rhyming words. This good read gets 4 stars.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This early reader book introduces beginning sound rhyming words through the use of a fun mouse that keeps moving the first letter of the word around. From washing away the “M” in mop and spinning in a “T” for top, mouse continues to make rhyming words throughout the story. The book has fun pictures illustrating the movement of letters, which keep kid’s attention as they guess what mouse might be up to next.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good reading primer for young children. The narrative is simple, rhyming and repetitive and the illustrations are cute. The book isn't too long, but I was a bit bored with the narrative about halfway through. Our girls liked it quite a bit, though, and were quite happy to help me read it aloud.

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good phonics book for emerging readers. Whereas it doesn't really tell a compelling story, the mouse in the book moves letters around to make words rhyme such as ten and hen. The illustrations are simple, but understandable for a non-reader to "read" the book through looking at the pictures. This book is great for paired reading.

[Linda Branich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little Random House Step In to Reading STEP 1, Ready to Read Phonics book. It contains big print, amusing picture clues, and rhyming format to help build phonics word families. There are a few sight words, and a few words too difficult for this level, but with assistance and the repetition that the story provides, the young readers will catch on quickly.!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book explains phonics to kids in a little reader that young children can read. I'm also aware that this is one of those kinds of books that is marketed to children who may not be ready yet so that parents will spend their money on books like this.

[Tanika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for beginner readers. It tells a funny little story, but shows how the first letter can be switched and become a new word. They will be able to see the relations of the new and old words.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

great! girls loved it. mouse changes letters to make new words. think a bulb clicked in the viv on this one.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

RL 310. Very simple words with large text. Mouse uses construction equipment to move letters around and make different words.

[Danie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for teaching phonological awareness. Unfortunatley not a series.

[Holly E Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice phonics book

[Nathano Tomaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

The really best part I liked was when he made the word LOG.

[Aaron Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heling, K., & Hembrook, D. (2002). Mouse makes words: A phonics reader. New York: Scholastic.