Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend of Friendship and Sacrifice

by Misty Schroe

Jumping Mouse is just like another other mouse, except she has a dream―a dream to reach the fabled High Places. But one small mouse can’t make the long journey alone. At the start of her journey, Jumping Mouse is gifted new long legs from wise Grandfather Frog. Filled with gratitude, she soon meets others who need assistance just like she a buffalo that cannot see and a wolf that cannot smell. In order to aid them, she must sacrifice her own sight and hearing, putting her dream of the High Places at risk. Through perseverance and belief, Jumping Mouse discovers who she was truly meant to be, and demonstrates the value of friendship, selflessness, and sacrifice.

Characters come to life through striking photographs of ash-fired ceramic sculptures, giving a fresh twist to this retelling of a timeless tale from the oral tradition.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Natasha Roslosnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the Giving Tree, I honestly can’t stand the Giving Tree. It is entirely possible to give too much of yourself. When you give so much that you can no longer take care of yourself, that’s too much. While I understand the idea of being selfless, I think that the message of giving everything can be harmful.

That being said, I read this book to my second-grade students. They enjoyed it (that is the reason that I rated this book a 4 and not a 3), here are their ratings:

Gavin – “10 stars…it was so good, all of it”

Evelyn – “I voted for like 5 stars because I think it was really good. Loved loved the story”

Gigi – “I give it a 20, because I think it’s very nice that she kept giving everyone her gifts”

Kennedy – “I think that out of 5 stars I would give 4. Because, well my favorite part was when she turned into an eagle and the 4 stars is because I like how she kept giving gifts and I think that was so generous”.

Christina – “I think 100 stars because it was a really good book and because it was like a good reminder to sometimes share things.”

Alayna – “I’ll give it 100 stars because it shows an example of instead of being greedy it shows how much you can care about people and share love to other people”.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Legend of Friendship and Sacrifice by Misty Schroe. PICTURE BOOK. Page Street Kids, 2019. $18. 9781624148170

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A little mouse dreams of reaching the highest heights but to get there he needs some help from other animals along the way. The animals sacrifice for each other and in the end the little mouse is turned into an eagle.

The story takes some odd twists and turns. Some of the things they sacrifice for each other are their eyesight and sense of smell, which feels overly sacrificial to apply to young readers. The images are pictures of carved statues which is interesting but not necessarily well-suited for young readers.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but I prefer the Steptoe version of this tale. Also, the author just says "Native" and doesn't ever specify tribal affiliation.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little mouse wants to go to the high place and starts off on his journey. Soon , however, he meets his first obstacle. With the help of Frog, he is aided and overcomes this first difficulty. He continues on his journey and demonstrates costly sacrifice to show kindness to other creatures he meets along the way. Will he make it to the high place?

This is a Native American legend on sacrifice and kindness.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful Native American legend that follows a little mouse who has dreams of reaching the High Places and he sets out alone. Along the way, not only does he meet friends but he makes sacrifices of himself. I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages. I loved it! The author's ceramic artistry is so beautiful!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I've read this folk tale before, but I don't remember where. A mouse goes on a journey, and along the way she gives her sense of sight and smell away to other animals to help them. I enjoy the selflessness of the story. The artwork was beautiful!

[Melissa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story.

[Rachel Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute folktale. Illustrations were unique, and the class I was reading the book to really enjoyed them.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shared a read aloud of this story with probably 450 kids this week for library. Wonderful story with a ton of teachable moments!