If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

When a generous boy shares a cookie with a hungry mouse, it is the beginning of a chain of events that keeps the boy busy all day long, and might keep him busy for days to come. If you give a mouse a cookie, after all, he's bound to ask for a glass of milk, for which he'll certainly need a straw, not to mention a napkin, and a mirror to check for a milk mustache, which will only lead to him noticing that he needs a haircut. This imaginary mouse has the kind of needs a child might have; he needs a nap with a soft pillow, and he needs his drawing hung up on the refrigerator. By the end of a day with such a mouse, a boy-hero might have an idea what it's like to be a Mommy!

With over a million copies sold, this humorous story is a favorite of many children. Children can identify with both the mouse and the boy. They may recognize the wants and needs of this little mouse, and realize that they are capable of the love and patience with which the boy care-giver meets the mouse's needs. Teachers like it too, as it introduces the important concepts of sequencing and cause and effect. Young readers will enjoy the challenge of recalling the sequence of events. Older readers may use this simple, engaging story to anchor their understanding of cause and effect, then apply their understanding to subjects as advanced as the causes of the American Revolution.

Felicia Bond's vibrant and energetic artwork has made her a best-selling illustrator. Her delightful characterizations of the boy and the mouse will engage readers of all ages.