Balancing Act

by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Two mice make a teeter-totter. They're balancing just fine, but then along comes a frog. Can they make room for one more friend on their teeter-totter? What about two? What about more? But then a big bird comes along and wants to play too. Better watch out!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Mathematics, Childrens, Science, Storytime, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Ellen is the daughter of Joseph Adolphus (a businessman) and Nell (Orum) Stoll; married David Albert Walsh (a professor), August 25, 1964; children: Benjamin Martin. She was educated at Maryland Institute of Art, B.F.A., 1964; attended University of Minnesota, 1966-69.
She lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

When several other creatures try to join in the fun as two mice balance on a teeter-totter, this story becomes a fun way to show the concept of weight and balance--and also of cooperation and teamwork. The illustrations were not my favorite style, but I appreciated the cut-paper work.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've been reading Mouse Paint, a seemingly simple (sometimes I find it boring, sometimes elegantly simple) book about colors, regularly in this household since 2004, but only recently have we delved into the author/illustrator's slightly lesser-known, but also mouse-themed book about balancing. Walsh does frogs jumping clumsily onto improvised teeter-totters better than any illustrator I've ever come across, or likely ever will. Having read it once aloud to my non-reading son, not stinting on the mice's alarmed cries as the frogs, legs flailing, are about to plop on them (and unbalance, or balance, as the case may be, their stick), he now likes to page through it himself and giggles at the illustrations. I guess he is "reading," after a fashion.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

These mice remind me of Justin and Emma.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pictures. Could be used to talk about pairs and balance. Might use it for my mouse storytime.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This deceptively simple picture book nails the concept of balance for the PreK-1st graders. This would work great in a classroom setting to teach simple machines. Through appealing cut paper illustrations, Walsh tells the story of two mice teeter-tottering on a stick. Slowly, more animals join the party, throwing everything off-balance. When the stick eventually breaks, our heroes show their resourcefulness, and are soon teeter-tottering again. Not a word or image is wasted. - T

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the simplicity of Ellen Walsh's books. Those who loved Mouse Paint for its engaging art and ability to teach a concept, will love Balancing Act as well. I already have a list of young scientist I need to share it with. Better buy another copy.

[Amanda Crusse · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Balancing Act” is a children’s picture book published in 2010, for children ages 2-6 years old. The story is about two little mice who build a teeter-totter out of a rock and stick. It starts with just the two of them balancing until friends come along wanting to join in.
I rate this book 5 stars because for the books target age group, it clearly explains the concept of balance in a cute way. It relies mainly on its illustrations to teach the basic concept of balance. The characters in the book are mice, frogs, salamanders and a bird, who exhibit childlike qualities playing on a teeter-totter. Through the pictures, you see that the animals use teamwork and cooperation to balance the teeter-totter after every new friend is added. The animals are created using the collage technique of cut paper. They are all multi colored with splatter spots for added texture. Most pictures use a double page spread with the rock of the teeter-totter in the gutter of the book. The language used is simple and clearly relates to the pictures. The typeface is large, black and bold. The book appeals to young children because it is short, simple and to the point

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute picture book about animals balancing on a teeter-totter.

A mouse on each end balances.
A salamander joins in an unbalances things.
A mouse and a salamander on each end balances.
A mouse and a salamander and a frog on each end balances.
Two mice and two salamanders and two frogs balance a bird.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Simple but graphically pleasing and just enough to have potential to be independent and fun to read alone.. or reading together and connecting to play/ balance/ sharing in real life.

Life is a balancing act! Nice way to start talking about this concept of balance in a tangible silly way (plus cute animals) with younger humans.

Has Leo Lionni vibes to me.

[Josh Bader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Reminded me of the play ground days. Everyone jumping around on the teeter totter. An over flow of kids running to it. Show I think it would be a great book for right before recess it elementary!

[Elizabeth Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balancing Act is about two little mice that balance on a stick and a rock. Then some other animals join and throw it off balance, only to then return back to balance with the help of others. This fiction story is ideal for teaching about balance and counterweights.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard for an in depth review of a board book. The illustrations are bright and eye catching. The 'story' (as much as it is one) works. Kids of board book age will love it. Older kids, not so much. So looking at it that way - just perfect!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very neat book. I loved how the author used the animals as an example when it came to balancing the scale. This is a great book, and I think this book did a great job with explaining the concept of balance.

[Shenika Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be used with a lesson on weight or used for math. The book showed how they worked together to balance on the one stick with the other animals. Also, this book can be helpful to early readers to read by themselves, maybe with the help of an adult with some of the word.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for introducing the concept of balance. Ellen Stoll Walsh has some fantastic books. Think it's also time to introduce Mouse Paint to the little pickle!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've all played "balance" on a teeter-totter as children. This book features cute paper-cut illustrations and an exotic cast of critters.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read-aloud for 2-4 y/o.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2.5 year old really liked this one. I saw the light of understanding go on in her eyes as the animals piled up and tipped the teeter-totter.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be an awesome book for introducing equations or balancing weights

[Manu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leila: i liked it because it was animals balancing on a scale made out of nature stuff

[Manisha Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way of teaching different sizes and forms or animals when they all appear to join the mice trying to balance.

[Melissa Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will tech children about balancing and what happens if there is too much weight on one side.

[Yaricsa Lizama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story about mice and friends balancing on a beam. I recommend this book for ages 4 and under. A great book to introduce balancing.

[Mayra Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to younger children when talking about balancing. I would read this book for children 3 and up.

[Bella Noorbakhsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this book because i think kids really like walking on things that they have to balance themselves on and its not as easy when you are a child so i think it serves as a good book to show them.

[Brettianee Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute and easy for my toddler!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just right for preschool story time.

[Gail Zachariah]

Two mice have fun playing on a teeter-totter. As more and larger friends join them, it becomes increasingly challenging to stay balanced. Ages 4 - 8. Weight, Balance, Problem solving, Collaboration.

[shemah · Rating 2 out of 5]

#2022

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to introduce idea of balancing to preschoolers