Toe Shoe Mouse

by Jan Carr, Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrations)

When he takes shelter in a theater, a young mouse meets a prima ballerina and learns that he was born to dance.

After barely escaping a hungry cat, the mouse is startled to find a grand old theater, brightly lit and filled with music. Enchanted by the sound, he finds himself inspired to dance. He sets to work finding a spot where the humans of the theater won't trouble him, determined to make this place his new home.

But when he discovers a cozy, wool-lined satin bed--a ballerina's toe shoe--the tiny creature also finds a new friend. C�leste, the ballerina, names him Tendu and offers him a safe place to settle--and a new dance partner to practice with!

With softly colored illustrations, Jennifer Bell's mouse-eye view of the theater is luxuriously detailed, from the ornate chandeliers to the carefully-organized clutter of the costume department to the rose wallpaper of the dancer's dressing room. The cozy warmth of Tendu's new home is as irresistable as the tiny bow-bedecked dancer himself.

Filled with all the drama of a ballet, this story is perfect for aspiring dancers.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Storytime

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because I love ballet and we are fans of Bell's illustrations in the Sophie Mouse books. Her lovely, sweet illustrations don't disappoint here. The story is more of a mouse-adventure story (being chased by a scary animal, finding refuge in the theater, etc.) than a ballet story. We see a glimpse of a rehearsal on stage but most of the focus takes place in the ballerina's dressing room (where the mouse hides out) and the most ballet we see is her stretching or taking a few poses so I was a little disappointed it didn't have more ballet included. Still, it works for what it is and I appreciated the nods to "The Nutcracker" :-) though I did have to cringe a little every time the term "toe shoes" was used (my teachers always taught that the proper term is "pointe shoes").

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mouse escapes a cat by entering an old theater. She sees dancers rehearsing and is intrigued. Readers see her fun from humans and find a safe place to stay. She ends up in a ballerina's dressing room and leaves gifts for her. The illustrations are soft focused and capture the joy of ballet as well as the emotions this little mouse feels.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. Cute story about a mouse and a dancer. The storytelling voice was very strong.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrator, Jennifer Bell, is local :-) Yay! And her illustrations for this book were so sweet. I really
enjoyed them.

It always makes me happy to see stories (and movies like Ratatouille) that make rodents sweet and adorable and not something we need to scream and kill. I love mice myself and think things like this are heartwarming. Just imagine if that's how mice were really thinking and feeling... they just want to be loved and accepted. Well, I do little mice! Lol... getting off topic here.

Cute book!

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must first admit I love ballet so this story was to me very appealing. Before the story even begins, before the title page there begins on the inside front cover and is seen again on the inside back cover a beautiful illustration of roses on a pink background. This totally sets the mood for me. The beginning is full of suspense as the mouse is being chased through the severs to escape a cat and end up in a very old grand theater. The description of which and the illustrations that go with it are perfect. The mouse dances to the music being played and the mouse is seen and chased backstage. He sleeps the night in the toe of a ballet shoe and then as the story goes on leaves gifts for one of the dancers, Celeste, who in time, becomes his friend. This does not happen without the mouse facing more danger. The story like ballet keeps the reader on their toes to find out what will happen to the mouse. The illustrations are a great support done in soft colors that mirror the dance world in its beauty and elegance.
There is a series books about spider, The Deadlies, by K. Lasky that has a similar theme of an animal leaving in a theater that would be a good step up if the read likes this book-it it a chapter book but not a difficult read.
This is a great book to share with students and could be used in music class as an easy fiction tale that could be used to introduce some classical ballet music. There is is even one small illustration where the mouse is dueling with what could be a soldier nutcracker.

[Ellista Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite children’s book and it’s so adorable! The art and words as well as story is so cute and heartwarming. It also shows the aspirations and could go along a social lesson of how little kids look up to older kids-setting a good example.
ATOS: 3.6
Lex: AD630L
Trait: Ideas and word choice

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the tension and beauty of the ballet are magnified in this melodramatic mouse tale. Little Tendu (that’s “Stretch” for us English speakers) scampers gracefully through all areas of a beautiful old-fashioned ballet theaters as he flees a predatory cat, broom-wielding custodian, and gang of “ruthless rats.” The reader gets a mouse’-eye view of the theater’s murky back passages, costume workshop, and the chandelier-lit theater itself, with its velvet seats and ornate plasterwork. Like a character in a classic ballet, our adventurous rodent hero experiences rapture, terror, longing and the agony of unrequited love before finding a safe haven - and a new friend - in a dancer’s quiet dressing room. Soft colors and rounded lines - with lots of ribbons and roses - give this book a classic, nostalgic look. —Paula Willey for Booklist Online

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cuddly little mouse finds her way into a theater where she falls in love with ballet and befriends a ballerina. From the pink toe shoe and bows on the cover to the final floral end papers this is obviously aimed at little girls. Told in the first person, readers follow the mouse as she observes the ballet, runs from threats, and ends up in the ballerina's dressing room. The story has some excitement and suspense, but readers never doubt that it will end happily, as it does. Jennifer Bell's illustrations are beautifully rendered, bringing the story to life and adding small touches that suggest the ballet being performed is "The Nutcracker" although that is never expressed in the text. Graceful lines, a fun story, and plenty of pink combine to make this a good book for the target audience.

[Emily Damron-Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jan Carr has come out with a heartfelt tale of an unlikely friendship. Plot twists and turns keep the story edgy, while the payoff is touchingly sweet. The beauty of Carr’s writing is matched by Jennifer A. Bell’s gorgeous illustrations. Toe Shoe Mouse amounts to a luscious pas de deux between author and illustrator, ballerina and mouse. A great book to read aloud to kids.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Victorian end papers of this book will set the mood for a story that is enchanting, magical, and quite elegant. The sweet mouse in this story, who narrates all that happens between her living on the streets, and finding a safe haven at the grand theater describes in similes, metaphors, and beautiful vocabulary her harrowing journey. Readers will be cheering the little mouse on as they hope that the prima ballerina notices who is leaving all the presents on her dresser. With cats, rats, and soldiers, this adventure will be enjoyed by many readers.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: Mouse
Art: Ballet

Sweet, soft illustrations give life to a little mouse who finds herself mesmerized by the ballet. Although the chase scenes are so repetitive that it gets tedious, the mouse's kind-hearted gifts towards a ballet dancer give this story a sweet ending.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming story is about a little mouse who escapes from a hard life on the streets to a ballet theater where he finds refuge in a ballerina's dressing room. Little girls would enjoy this heartwarming tale!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

After narrowly escaping the clutches of an alley cat, a small mouse seeks refuge in a theater, and shares with the reader his adventures and escapades inside theater, and how he became known as Tendu.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too long for story time, but I really enjoyed the art and the story. Perfect for kids who like ballet. I especially appreciate the intervals where they talk about how they had a horrible adventure, but you don't need to hear that part, made me chuckle.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations accompany this sweet story of a little street mouse that finds refuge with a ballerina. The rodent's journey isn't easy nor is it without fear and danger. However, she ends up in a happy place as the pet of a dancer.

[Valerie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book about a mouse that stumbles into a ballet theater, establishes its abode there, pursues friendship with the resident ballerina, and the highjinks that ensue. I enjoyed the illustrations, as well as the narration by the mouse. A charming book.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story about a sweet little mouse who finds refuge in a ballet theater and makes a new friend.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably more of a 3.5 but the illustrations bumped it up. Very Sweet!

[Janet Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little bit textier at the beginning that I thought it would be before reading. However, it turns out to be a sweet story that young ballerinas would appreciate and love.

[J.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Especially good for young readers that like ballet.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute.

[Paulette Bogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dance your way into this book!! Toe Shoe Mouse is a must for every little ballerina. Tendu is adorable and inquisitive. Just the right amount of adventure for a little one, with a happy ending.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable