Fourth of July Mice!

Holiday Mice

by Bethany Roberts, Bethany Roberts

It's the most patriotic of all holidays—Independence Day! The Holiday Mice take part in all the activities that make the Fourth of July fun: a parade, a picnic, a baseball game and sack race, and a refreshing dip in the stream. Even Mr. Mouse, the littlest mouse's special toy, joins in the festivities. The best part of all comes at the end of the day: a spectacular fireworks show! Packed with plenty of red, white, and blue and featuring the four Holiday Mice at their most adorable, this story about our nation's birthday will delight readers young and old alike.

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

31 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

I've wanted to be a children's book author as far back as I can remember. When I was eight years old I wrote a story about a rabbit. I am still writing stories about rabbits- and mice, cats, children, monsters, and dragons!

When I was growing up, I was the neighborhood storyteller. I would make up stories on the spot for younger children in the neighborhood. I read a lot of books. But I was also a bit of a tomboy. I spent much of my time outdoors, usually barefoot, climbing trees and stone-hopping across brooks.

On my way to becoming a children's book author, I was also a teacher and a children's librarian. I always liked story hours best. When my own children, Krista and Melissa, were small, I read to them constantly- stacks and stacks of books. I think I learned the most about writing from all that reading.

Today I live in Hamden, Connecticut, with my wonderfully encouraging and supportive husband, our two daughters, and our cat. We live in a white house with lots of flowers.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I will officially say I don't get Bethany Roberts "Mice" books. There is a whole series, for different holidays, and yes the mice are cute and yes it's an adorable idea but I just think the writing seems labored and unoriginal. (I also read the "Thanksgiving Mice" which was a tad better than this.) I wonder which was the first in the series and if perhaps it was quite special and then the series got worn-out eventually?

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a bit more than I did Christmas Mice! but I still do not consider these the best series out there. I was discussing holiday series books with a friend who suggested this series. I do think we need a series that covers more inclusive holidays such as Eid and Ramadan or kwanzaa or Diwali. Or Passover or Purim. Adequate but if your budget is limited, I would skip this series.

[Gary Anderson]

Playful mice enjoy activities frequently associated with Fourth of July celebrations: parades, flags, picnics, frollicking in water, playing games, and fireworks. The simple text emphasizes sounds, and the fun-filled illustrations are sprinkled with patriotic images.

[Talia Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book ever. totally gonna act like a mouse today.

[Hannah Ingram · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations of the mice. Doug Cushman is definitely a good artist and really helped to enhance the experience of reading the book and capture the experiences the mice were partaking in. The writing however is a little confusing. The rhymes start on one page and end two pages after. The rhymes aren’t presented together which, for me at least, makes the flow of the book difficult to follow. Other than that, it’s a cute book to share the activities one might see on the Fourth of July.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations of mice celebrating Independence Day and fun word combinations for your little ones to enjoy!

Ages: 2 - 4

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Lara Lamb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I understand the allure of this book. While the idea of talking about patriotic little mice marching and participating in a Fourth of July parade could be appealing to children I just don't think it was done well. The story line was very simplistic and just lacked a real wow factor.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's not enough going on to keep the plot moving, but the illustrations are nice.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Mr Mouse looks a lot like an elephant. Somehow it bothered me that this story didn't rhyme but I liked the emphasis on sounds and onomatopoeia.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrating the Fourth of July has never been so mouse-filled!

Love it or hate it, fact is: This picture book is for very little children.

Given the audience intended, and the cuteness of the illustrations by Doug Cushman, I'll rate this as a FIVE STAR book.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay! I’ve read another mouse book like this, and they feel a little disjointed. They just don’t flow like some other children’s books I’ve read. Not my favorite, but my kids liked it okay.

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, basic book with cute illustrations with an Independence Day theme for the preschool set. Simple, rhyming text engages pre-readers.

[J.]

J self read 8/22/19

[Katelynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty standard and cute series, good for a read aloud or last minute addition to storytime.

[Jana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like a google translate book.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are cute enough, but the story wasn't memorable.

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourth of July Mice! was another Level 1 book. It was a little better. The activities the mice did in this book: march in a parade, play baseball, watch fireworks, were more in line with the typical holiday celebrations. The little mouse and his stuffed animal mouse added some humor and delight to the story. There's a cute bit at the end about him overcoming his fear of the water in order to rescue to Mr. Mouse.

I think we both enjoyed this "mice" story more than the Halloween book. I'm not sure I'd ever read an easy reader again because in general they're not great literature, but this one I would at least recommend to parents of early readers.

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[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about the fun to be had on a hot Fourth of July. The illustrations are completely adorable and the text has a bouncy, kinda rhyming flow. It appears that there's a whole series of these stories featuring mice during various holidays and events. I'm not sure that we'll go out of our way to read the others, but I'm sure they are all light and fun reads for children.

[Chrystina · Rating 5 out of 5]

his is a picture book, intended for grades pre-k to first grade. This book is about a family of mice celebrating the fourth of july. They go swimming, watch fireworks, parade around, and eat lots of food. I really enjoyed this book. It had really great illustrations. I really think kids would enjoy it. The illustrator did an amazing job with the art work. This book could be used for a lesson on sound words. it had great examples

[Jennie Park]

The title and cover of the book is misleading because once you read it- it rarely talks about the Fourth of July. The whole book consists of the mice having a party but does not explain why. It's a silly book but not very educational. I'm sure the students will enjoy this book, but I don't know whether I would use it as a read-a-loud or during story time.

[Elizabeth]

When I read this one to toddlers, I think I’ll skip the part about a non-swimmer jumping into a lake to rescue a toy. The good news is, he discovers he can swim after all. Yay?

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uses rhyme and repetition in this lower grade level picture book. Uninspiring. Talks about common activities for families on the 4th of July, but explains nothing about why it is celebrated.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a challenge finding short-enough books about July 4th to share with pre-schoolers; this is one that fills the need.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mice celebrate the 4th of July with a picnic, swimming, and watching fireworks. Rhyming text. PreK-2.

[Katie Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

4th of July fun

A cute holiday story, but formatting for kindle is messed up. We loved the cute little mice though and their 4th of July activity!

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good book for starting readers. there are repetitive rhymes and easy words. some adult help will be needed. cute, overall.

[K.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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