Movie, Mouse, and Merriment – Picture Book

Title- If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

Author- Laura Numeroff

Illustrator- Felicia Bond

Publisher- Scholastic

Copyright Date- 2005

Number of Pages- 40

Awards- None

Reading Level- Age 4-8

Genre- Fiction, picture book

Summary

In If You Take a Mouse to the Movies you meet a cute little mouse and his young boy friend.  They go on an adventure that starts at a movie.  Together they create Christmas tree decorations, build snowmen and build forts.  You will have to read the book to find out where their adventure takes them.  Don’t forget to look for the creative decorations they make, they are sure to make you smile. 

Teaching Idea

This book is a circular story, and each element of the story causes something else to happen.  I would use this in a cause and effect lesson.  The book would act as a guide.  For example, the mouse goes to the movie and then he gets popcorn, which leads to making a Christmas decoration and so on.  The students would then create their own series of events.  They would be working on cause and effect and sequencing at the same time.  The first event would have to lead to a related second event, which would cause a third event. 

Links to lessons:

Today in First Grade

Pitner’s Potpourri

The Budget SLP

Rating

Element of Literature	Excellent	Average	Inadequate	Not Addressed	Rating
Plot	The plot is engaging; the reader is invested in the outcome.  Contains conflict, a climax and a resolution.    The reader buys into the story line; it is believable to the reader.	The plot is average it contains some of the essential elements such as conflict, climax and resolution.  One element is either missing or poorly developed.  The reader may or may not buy into the storyline, it is just not that believable.	Multiple essential elements, conflict, climax and/or resolution are missing or poorly developed.  It is not believable and overall a bad plot.		The plot is engaging, the reader wants to know what the young boy and the mouse do.  There is no real conflict, climax, or resolution as the story is circular.  The reader does buy into the storyline.
Characters	Characters are unique and believable.  The characters come to life when the reader is engaged in the story.  When the book is done, the reader still connects with the characters of the book.  Characters have personalities, flaws, and feelings. There is a protagonist, possibly an antagonist and some supporting characters.	Characters are similar to other books, have little to no uniqueness.  When the reader is done with the book, they are also done with the characters, there is no lasting connection.  Characters display little in terms of personality.  There are no supporting characters, or no clear protagonist.	Characters are dull and lifeless, there is no connection to the characters.  There is no clear protagonist and no supporting characters.  The characters are too farfetched.		The mouse is unique and believable; the boy could be replaced with any other character he has no depth.  There is not a lasting connection with the characters.  The protagonist is clear.  There is not an antagonist, or supporting characters.  They are average characters.
Illustrations	The illustrations share in the story telling. The pictures help to develop the characters, establish the mood, and setting.  They contain some of the following elements, hidden details, facial expressions, different viewpoints, interesting asides, action depiction, or supporting details.  The pictures themselves may be created out of different mediums in order to support the plot.  Visual elements are used effectively (line, shape, color, texture and composition).	The illustrations support the story telling.  The pictures help with some but not all of the following, establish mood and setting, and developing characters.  They contain few if any of the following elements, hidden details, facial expressions, different viewpoints, interesting asides, action depiction, or supporting details.  The pictures are basic and do not use visual elements effectively.	The illustrations are in conflict with the story.  The pictures do not develop or establish anything in relation to the book.  There are no additional elements in the illustrations.  Visual elements detract from the plot.		The illustrations are integral to the story, they help develop the main character and setting.  There are many hidden details such as the snowman and tree decorations.  The facial expressions show more about the characters than the words do.  The images depict action.  Overall, the images tell most of the story.
Word Choice	There are a more than two of the following elements used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.	There are one or two of the following elements used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.	There are none of the following elements or they are not used effectively, precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, and music in language.		There is one element used, effective and precise language.