Not my favorite "mouse" book. My nieces adore it, but the storyline seems a bit odd to me.

Wendell comes to visit, and he's a major brat. Okay. Sophie clearly knew this before he came over, why didn't her parents?

The resolution in the book seems a bit forced, that's what it is. Wendell is worse than a brat, he's a bully - he causes trouble and leaves notes saying that Sophie did it, he leaves a note of himself as a monster attacking Sophie before bed (so you can't say that he's just misunderstood or nervous, he's TRYING to scare her), he steals her food and breaks all the rules.

Sophie does deal with this in a sensible way (first trying to ignore him, and finally turning the tables on him and spraying him with water), but I don't see how this made her reluctant to have him leave. And in later books (Sheila Rae, the Brave) it's shown in the background that they become great friends. I think that's a bit much.

But my nieces love it. I think they just love seeing the bully get what he deserves and the victim become empowered. ( )

Wendell goes to stay with his friend Sophie but she and her parents quickly get tired of his overbearing presence as he elects himself to be the star of all of their games, breaks many rules and pulls nasty pranks. Before he leaves though Sophie learns that she too can play Wendell's mischievous game.

about an annoying cousin coming to visit
good ending
end up liking each other

This story is about a little mouse named Sophie who has to put up with a bossy houseguest named Wendell who also happens to be a mouse. Wendell and Sophie find many things to do but they always have to play by Wendell's rules. For instance, when they play doctor, Wendell gets to play the doctor, the nurse, and the patient while Sophie only gets to be the desk clerk. When they play bakery, Wendell gets to be the baker and Sophie only gets to be a sweet bun. Wendell is a terrible houseguest and Sophie can't wait for Wendell to leave.

This is a great story to read aloud to young children especially when they are at the age where they are learning to play with others. This story teaches children that friendships are about sharing, taking turns, and playing fair. I believe that most adults and children have dealt with a character like Wendell at some point.

After reading the story to my students, I would have a class discussion. I would ask the students what they thought was wrong about Wendell or Sohpie's character. Then I would ask them to think about what they would have done differently if they were Wendell or Sophie. How would they handle a houseguest like Wendell? Another idea would be to place the students in small groups. Each group would be assigned a part in the story that Wendell is taking advantage of Sophie's friendship. Their first assignment would be to do a skit acting out that part in the story. Then they would do another skit to show their classmates what Wendell and Sophie's behavior should have been towards eachother. ( )

Wendell the weekend overnight guest is obnoxious. He's boastful, bossy, rude, demanding, attention-seeking, naughty, and oblivious to others. Poor Sophie endures him until she suggests a game of fire fighter where she made the rules -- and sprayed Wendell with water until he got to feel what it was like to be bossed around. Then the two started playing together and sharing the play, not caring "who was the fire chief or who was the burning building". When his parents finally come to pick him up, Sophie sincerely does feel like seeing him again. ( )