Maggie Rudy

Recommended by Betsy Bird: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/12/14/31-days-31-lists-2020-fairy-fo....

"There once was a mouse, and her life was no fun."

Maggie Rudy's version of Cinderella, told through fabulously intricate illustrations (felt and scavenged materials, photographed), follows the traditional story with a few twists: instead of a fairy godmother, Sootypaws' gifts come from moon magic ("there is a full moon and it is a very good night for wishes") and those she's been kind to (ants, a frog, a bluebird). When the prince finds Sootypaws after the ball, she says she loves him but doesn't want to get married or be a princess in a palace - and he admits he doesn't either! So the prince and Rosie (Sootypaws' real name) run away and live a life full of adventures, "and they never wore shoes again."… (more)

Apparently, this story originated as one of Aesop’s Fables, and calling someone a city or town mouse is a normal thing. The reason I say apparently is that I have never heard of the story nor anyone being described in that way. This aside, the book is really well done. Very much so it reminds me of the I Spy book series. For one, it looks as if miniatures were constructed and photographed for each of the scenes. Second, each picture is jam-packed with details that you could spend considerable time admiring. After finding some of this story’s older adaptations, I would definitely recommend that anyone looking to experience this story reads this edition. Whether or not they are familiar or unfamiliar with the tale, the art will surely draw them in.… (more)

I used "City Mouse Country Mouse" for a comprehension lesson earlier in the semester. After I read the story aloud, the students had to identify the characters and settings in the story. Then they had to draw one of the characters in one of the settings in the story and write a sentence describing their picture. This activity was done in first grade in the "inclusion class." Most of the students in this class were beginning readers and did very well with this activity. This book could also be used for a lesson on what a fiction story is. Although there are real animals and real places, the story is fiction because the mice are talking. I really enjoyed reading this book and the lesson that I used it for went really well. This is definitely a book that I will use in the future.… (more)