Babymouse: Queen of the World!

Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Queen of the World! New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-0-375-83229-1.

Plot

Babymouse’s middle school experience isn’t living up to her dreams of being queen of the world. She just knows that if she can secure an invitation to Felicia Furrypaw’s party, her life will change and everyone will see how wonderful she is. However, once she gets to the party, she realizes that the popular crowd isn’t everything she thought they would be. She leaves the party and goes to hang out with her friend, Wilson. She realizes that she is already queen of the world, because she has everything she needs.

Critical Analysis

This graphic novel is a quick read and features simple illustrations that capture the character’s emotions perfectly. When Babymouse’s imagination is at work, the illustrations feature a lot of pink. This helps the reader differentiate these daydreaming sequences from the black and white real world. The book relies heavily on the illustrations to tell the story. The few words are dialogue or sound effects.

The book addresses many issues that middles school aged kids face. Babymouse is faced with the dilemma of cheating when Felicia Furrypaws asks for her homework. She also struggles with wanting to fit in and be accepted by the popular crowd. In the end, Babymouse discovers that she needs to stay true to herself and that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Review Excerpts

Horn Book starred review:  "Nobody puts Babymouse in the corner!"

Booklist: “The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse's imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.”

Connections

*Students can explore the Babymouse website.

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm

*Other books in the Babymouse series:

·         Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Our Hero! ISBN 0975832300

·         Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Beach Babe! ISBN 978-0375832314

·         Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Rockstar! ISBN 978-0375832321