Mouse Match: A Chinese Folktale

by Ed Young

The Caldecott Medalist retells the ancient Chinese tale of a father mouse's travels to the end of the earth to find the perfect husband for his beloved daughter in twenty-six accordion-fold panels.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

52 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Ed Young is the illustrator of more than eighty books for children, seventeen of which he has also written. Among his books is the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po, which he both wrote and illustrated. He says that his work is inspired by the philosophy of Chinese painting. He lives in Westchester County, New York.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouse Match/ Ed Young/ 1997
Genre: folktale
Format: picture book
Plot Summary: When a father mouse goes to the sun, cloud, wind, and wall in search of the strongest husband for his daughter, he is surprised to find that a mouse is the best match.
Considerations: no red flags
Review Citation: School Library Journal; October 1997,Vol. 43, p126-126, 1p
Selection Source: Ed Young bibliography
Recommended age: 4-6

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade: K-2

First of all, the author did a good job with the retelling of a story. I have not read very many Chinese folktales and I enjoyed reading this one. I also really liked how it also included the story in Chinese on the back. It was fun to look at and I think kids would also enjoy seeing the story in the original language.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this short Chinese folktale about two mice getting married.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful! I loved the pictures. Very much like "Seven Blind Mice," which isn't surprising since they're by the same person. The folktale is very cute, and the lesson about finding answers within ourselves instead of searching the world is a good one. (Perhaps with a little help from our Heavenly Father, though.) What I absolute loved, though, was that on the back of the pages--in scroll fashion--was the entire story in Chinese characters. To be read top to bottom, right to left. And I recognized many. and could translate a few. It would be a lovely book to own in my own personal library, where my children could have access to it as I try to teach them their Chinese heritage and the Chinese language as well.

For story time though? Nope. Not really. And even taking a moment to book talk wouldn't be needed. It's over in the folktale section anyhow.

[Judy W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting fold-out. Can be like a book with page turning, or one long panel.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this tale...make sure book is on the floor when you go to fold out pages.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, unusual illustrations and a clever story. Bravo!

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also a great Chinese Folk Tale.