Mouse Was Mad
2009 by
on Goodreads (1,086)
What’s inside...
Who knows the best way to be mad? Bear stomps. Hare hops. Bobcat screams. Mouse? He just can't get it right. But when he finds the way that works for him—still and quiet—he discovers that his own way might be the best of all. Linda Urban's story about self-expression and managing anger is both sweet and sly, and Henry Cole's cast of animal friends is simply irresistible.
Why read this book
- Teaches emotional regulation through engaging narrative.
- Enhances empathy by exploring diverse feelings and reactions.
- Encourages effective communication and self-expression.
- Bright illustrations captivate and hold children’s interest.
The Big Picture
- Showcases emotional coping strategies effectively.
- Encourages self-expression and regulation.
- Ideal for discussions on feelings and calmness.
- Supports growth in emotional intelligence.
Diversity & Representation
- Features animals to represent diverse emotional experiences.
- Encourages empathy through varied character expressions and reactions.
- Showcases handling emotions in universally relatable scenarios.
Age
2-4
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
developing
Character Compass
Discussion points
What are some different ways Mouse showed he was mad? Can you think of a time you felt the same?
How did Mouse try to calm down? What do you do when you feel angry or upset?
Why do you think it's important for Mouse to express his feelings? How do you express yours?
How did the other animals react to Mouse's anger? How do people react when you're mad?
What did Mouse learn by the end of the story? Have you learned a similar lesson in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own emotions to Mouse’s, helping them connect personally with the story.
Ask open-ended questions that promote empathy, understanding why Mouse and other characters behaved the way they did.
Discuss the different strategies characters used to handle emotions, evaluating their effectiveness and prompting ideas for new strategies.
Highlight the resolution of the story to teach problem-solving skills related to emotions.
Use examples from the book to demonstrate healthy emotional expression and the importance of communication.
What parents love
Helped my child understand and discuss anger
Engaging story, my son wanted to read it nightly
Illustrations are fun and kept my daughter interested
Great for teaching emotional coping strategies to kids
Key Lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Expressing Emotions
Explanation: In 'Mouse Was Mad,' the protagonist, Mouse, navigates various emotions, demonstrating the normalcy of feeling mad and the different ways emotions can be expressed.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and articulate their feelings, understanding that it's okay to feel mad. They can practice healthy ways to express emotions, such as talking about them or engaging in calming activities.
Example Lesson: Self-Regulation
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mouse tries out different methods to calm down, eventually finding one that works. This illustrates the importance of self-regulation and the patience required to master it.
Real-World Application: Children can use techniques from the story, such as stomping or hopping, to manage their emotions. This equips them with tools to calm themselves independently in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Mouse’s interactions with other forest creatures who try to advise him on calming down highlight the theme of empathy. It shows the importance of listening and being considerate to others’ feelings and experiences.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to be empathetic towards their friends or family members who might be upset, promoting an understanding of different perspectives and supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As Mouse experiments with different methods to handle his anger, the story reinforces the concept of problem-solving and trying various solutions to find what works best.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by exploring different ways to solve conflicts or challenges they face, understanding that the first solution isn’t always the right one and persistence is key.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Mouse shows resilience by persistently trying to manage his anger until he finds a method that works for him, illustrating the power of perseverance through emotional challenges.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of resilience in daily life, encouraging them to keep trying in the face of difficulties whether emotional or practical.