A Mouse Told His Mother - Bethany Roberts

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

24 Oct 2006 06:40 AM

Easily one of my favorite picture books, "A Mouse Told His Mother" by Bethany Roberts is a tender story of an imaginative mouse who does not want to go to bed, and a supportive mother who will do whatever it takes to get him to. With each getting-ready-for-bed activity, the mouse imagines that he's on a great adventure, and his mother urges him on from thing to thing, the end goal being a quiet mouse house when she's done.

A mouse told his mother, "I am going on a trip." "It is bedtime," said his mother.

A mouse told his mother, "I am going to the moon." "Take your toothbrush," said his mother.

A mouse told his mother, "I am off to catch a crocodile." "Don't forget to wash your feet," said his mother.

A mouse told his mother, "I will dive for pirate treasure." "You'd better bring a towel," said his mother.

Who knew taking a bath could be so fun?

Many of the pages have two illustrations on them, one with a picture of what the mouse is really doing, and the other of what he imagines is happening. The artwork is beautiful. Illustrator Maryjane Begin does a marvelous job of bringing these characters to life and making the mice look soft enough to touch.

As the story draws to a close, we get an even better look at the tender relationship between mother and son.

A mouse told his mother, "I will sail where the wind blows." "Blow me a kiss," said his mother.

A mouse told his mother, "I will come back home again." "Sweet dreams," said his mother. "And good night." The picture shows the young mouse snuggled up in his quilted bed, a look of contentment on his face, and the mother standing in the doorway before pulling it closed, looking at him with love. What a beautiful way to say good night.

(This book was published in 1997 by Little, Brown, and Company.)

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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