The Greentail Mouse
on Goodreads (231)
What’s inside...
Originally published in 1973, this is the offbeat fable of a city mouse who visits his peaceful country cousins and tells them about Mardi Gras in the city. The country mice are inspired to have their own Mardi Gras. And at first, it is fun wearing their masks with sharp teeth and tusks and scaring each other, but after a while, they begin believing that they really are ferocious animals. Leo Lionni's winsome mice cavort across big double-page spreads of oil paintings and tell a story about what is real and what is not that is just right for preschoolers. Reissued in hardcover in 2003, it now makes its debut in Dragonfly paperback.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the Greentail Mouse learned about friendship and cooperation?
How did the different characters in the story help each other?
Why do you think the mice wanted to dress up and pretend?
What would you have done if you were in the Greentail Mouse's place?
How do you think the story would change if there was no dragon?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use expressive gestures and voices for different characters to make the story lively and engaging.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios, boosting their creative thinking.
Relate the themes of the book, like teamwork and creativity, to real-life situations your child might face, reinforcing the lessons.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene, which can lead to a deeper discussion about the story's themes and characters.
Praise your child’s responses and thoughts to build confidence and encourage more in-depth thinking and questioning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of community and teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Greentail Mouse', the mice need to work together to create their carnival costumes. This collective effort fosters a sense of community and shared purpose.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with their peers on group projects or team sports, understanding that everyone's contribution is vital for success.
Example Lesson: Creativity and self-expression
Explanation: The story celebrates creativity as the mice use different materials to fashion unique costumes. It highlights how creativity is not just about art but also about solving problems and expressing oneself.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to explore different mediums of art and to use their imagination not only in their play but also in expressing feelings and ideas.
Example Lesson: Overcoming fears
Explanation: The Greentail Mouse involves a scary tale of a 'monster mouse' which turns out to be just one of the mice in a costume. This part of the story deals with facing and overcoming fears.
Real-World Application: Help children understand that many fears are based on the unknown and that sometimes, getting to know the subject of their fears may alleviate their anxiety.
Example Lesson: The joy of festivities and traditions
Explanation: The book features a vibrant portrayal of a mouse-made carnival, showcasing how traditions and celebrations can bring joy and a sense of history to a community.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to participate in local and cultural festivals to learn more about their own and others' traditions, fostering both fun and cultural appreciation.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: In the story, the mice initially get frightened by their own costumes, mistaking each other for real monsters. They learn to laugh at their mistake and understand their errors.
Real-World Application: Teach children that errors are opportunities for learning and growth, and that it's okay to make mistakes as long as one learns from them.