Babymouse: Rockstar and Babymouse: Monster Mash
by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
ages: 6-10 (but I like them, too!)

We got a present from my younger brother and his wife for Christmas. I spent the month of December trying to figure out what it was; I figured it was a game of some sort because that’s the kind of people they are. Imagine my surprise when C opened the present Christmas morning, and it was five Babymouse books! We all squealed (well, C and I did), and the words used to thank dear brother and wife were: “Babymouse ROCKS!”

Because, you know, Babymouse is awesome.

I am indebted to Babymouse (and those who recommended her to me last year), for C’s increasing love of reading. She was looking for something inbetween picture books and chapter books, and Babymouse hit the spot.

And, I have to admit, I find them quite entertaining, too.

If you haven’t had the delightful experience reading Babymouse, then you must rectify that. Or, if you’re too embarrassed to be seen reading the graphic novel equvialent of an early reader, then get it for your favorite first- or second-grader. And then sneak a read. Witty (love the narrator), funny (Babymouse and her imagination), with clever storytelling (Rock star is actually about a band concert and Babymouse learning to play the flute; Monster Mash deals with peer pressure from other kids and finding one’s own way), they are a delightful look into the imagination of Jennifer and Matthew Holm.

I suppose I could gush on… but honestly, there really isn’t much more to say. Go discover Babymouse for yourself, if you haven’t already.