Fantasy, Fiction, YA Book Review: Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

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Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Holm, Jennifer L. 2005. BABYMOUSE #1: QUEEN OF THE WORLD!. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375832291 2. PLOT SUMMARY Babymouse loves to imagine that she lives in a world of fame and fortune! Unfortunately, however, she is not. Babymouse knows that getting an invite to Felicia Furrypaws’ sleepover will bring her the popularity, fame, and fortune she has always desired! She imagines all kinds of antics, including competing in a variety of (mostly imaginative) competitions. When the time comes for the slumber party, expecting glamour and exclusivity, Babymouse finds that it is actually a gossipy bore. She decides hanging out and watching scary movies with her best pal Wilson is what she would rather do. Babymouse is a graphic novel that readers will love! 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Babymouse is a quirky little mouse who is a strong female role model for young girls. Babymouse doesn’t fit into one box; she will appeal to a variety of readers. She is girly, but also “her whiskers are always messy”. She wants to be popular, but is not willing to be mean or manipulative in order to be popular. She is competitive and can hold her own regardless of her competitor. Jennifer and Matthew Holm’s choice of a mouse as the main character is the perfect choice for Babymouse’s personality. She may be small and underestimated, but her heart and strength are mighty. The narrator occasionally interjects, providing humor, but also breaking Babymouse’s imaginative bubble and letting readers back into the “real world”. The authors use competition subtly as a theme, teaching readers how to compete in a healthy way. The Holm’s clever allusions to movies and literature are the cherry on top of a book that will have readers reaching for more. 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S): PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This personable, self-conscious mouse, with her penchant for pink hearts, resembles Kevin Henkes's Lilly, with some extra years of grade-school experience.” KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Young readers will happily fall in line to follow Babymouse through both ordinary pratfalls (“Typical!” is her watchword) and extraordinary flights of fancy” 5. CONNECTIONS Other books in the Babymouse series: BABYMOUSE: OUR HERO BABYMOUSE: BEACH BABE BABYMOUSE: ROCKSTAR

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