Mouse Paint

        Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Illustrator:  Ellen Stoll Walsh

Publication: HMH Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: March 27, 1995

ISBN #: 9780152560256

Pages: 32

Theme: Animals, Colors

Format: Print, Picture Book, Fiction

Age: 2-6

While a cat is sleeping, three curious mice dive into jars of red, yellow and blue paint. As they play in spatters of paint, they discover what happens when colors are mixed together.

Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh is a light hearted and fun introductory book for toddlers to learn about the concept of color. “Thus begins a flirtation with paints (mixing colors, making new shades, dancing in swirled puddles) that provides them with nearly all the colors in the spectrum, and when the paint dries, they bathe in the cats water bowl until they are white again.” (Publisher’s Weekly) Walsh is a master at brevity and clarity in her outstanding concept book and makes it certainly memorable for toddlers and parents to come back to over and over again. A fantastic little book that focuses on introducing colors into the child’s mind, this book is an excellent guide at teaching colors in a very simplistic way. “Thus begins a flirtation with paints,” is a great little line that perfectly describes the mouse playing in the paint in this entertaining book.

A story (really a mini series for concept books) that focuses on three little mice and their escapades with a cat, this book is something “both parents and children alike will appreciate this lighthearted presentation of a lesson on color.” (School Library Journal) In another of Walsh’s favorite concepts books, the use of mice playing in paint is an excellent way of getting children engaged, what is it with the love of mice and children? A book that continues to fascinate and thrill parents, Ellen Stoll Walsh is a born story teller.

Personal Response: As an adult I have to say I loved this book, when I came across it I could not help but pick up the rest of the concept books by Walsh. Our has most of her works including, Mouse Count, Mouse Shapes and other stories featuring these adorable mice. 

             

(images via google)