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The simple story and basic layout of Little Mouse Saves the Day helps very early readers learn to interpret graphic storytelling.
Little Mouse Saves the Day! by Jeff Smith. Astra Publishing House, 2025. 31 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4
- Recommended For: Ages 0-8
It’s bedtime, Mama reminds her small progeny. He reminds her that he’s Supermouse—but even heroes have to sleep. And brush their teeth. All tucked in, Little Mouse notices the closet door is open. And . . . is someone in there? Did it just MOVE? What can a little mouse do? No—the better question is, what would Supermouse do?
It’s a situation most 3, 4, and 5-year-olds can relate to, and some may even have solved the problem the way Little Mouse does. It’s a slight tale and a basic graphic-novel layout with no more than two panels per page. Easily passed over, except that Jeff Smith is one of the premier graphic artists of his day, with such contemporary classics as the Bone series to hi credit. Also, the appendix offers tips on “How to Read Comics with Kids,” which can help them develop their visual vocabulary at the same time as their literary vocabulary.
Bottom Line: A cozy introduction to an ever-more-popular art form.
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Book Reviews: Beginning comics artists can hone their skills with Comics: Easy as A, B, C and Draw Out the Story. Older (mid-teen and up) artists should not miss Understanding Comics.
- Book Reviews: More fun: Fairy Tale Comics, How to Write a Story, and Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze.
- Resource: How do graphic artists tell a story in pictures? See our interview with Doug TenNapel.
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