Review of Babymouse: Queen of the World!

Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Queen of the World!. New York: Random House, 2005.  ISBN: 0375832297


Plot Summary

It's the same thing every day for Babymouse. Where is the glamour? The excitement? The adventure? Nothing ever changes, until . . . Babymouse hears about Felicia Furrypaws's exclusive slumber party. Will Babymouse get invited? Will her best friend, Wilson, forgive her if she misses their monster movie marathon? Find out in Babymouse: Queen of the World , a graphic novel with attitude!

Critical Analysis

Jennifer L Holm and Matthew Holm are the brother and sister team behind the creation of the Babymouse graphic novel series.  Babymouse is a fun character.  She is witty, sassy, and full of attitude. The novel is entirely printed in black, white, and pink.  Babymouse has a vivid imagination and the pink pages are used to highlight the scenes that are fantasy.  Some examples are when she is sucked into space and pretends to be the captain of the spaceship,  when she is at castle Weaselstein, or when her fairy godweasel turns her into Mouserella with a banana carriage (they were out of pumpkins).  The black and white pages are used to show her everyday life or reality.    Babymouse : Queen of the World! is set in a middle school and children will relate to the common themes of trying to fit in, popularity, and friendship.  It’s an easy and enjoyable read.


Awards and Excerpts

Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth, 2006 ; Booklist; United States

Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United States

Choices, 2006 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States

Core Collection: Great Graphic Novels for Younger Readers, 2006 ; American Library Association; United States

Notable Children's Books, 2006 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States

Gryphon Award, 2006 Honor Book United States

North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2008 ; Nominee; Junior Book; North Carolina

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2009-2010 ; Nominee; Grades K-3; Pennsylvania

West Virginia Children's Book Award, 2007-2008 ; Nominee; West Virginia

Children’s Literature review excerpt:  “Babymouse’s imaginative subplots are hilarious, as are the wonderful illustrations that give life to Babymouse and her friends and acquaintances. A delightful read for the middle elementary female reader who is looking for a quick read.”

Kirkus review excerpt:  “Young readers will happily fall in line to follow Babymouse through both ordinary pratfalls and extraordinary flights of fancy.”


Connections

Other books in the Babymouse Series:

Babymouse : Burns Rubber (2010)
Babymouse : Cupcake Tycoon (2010)
Babymouse : The Musical (2009)
Babymouse : Dragonslayer (2009)
Babymouse : Skater Girl (2007)
Babymouse : Puppy Love (2007)
Babymouse : Camp Babymouse (2007)
Babymouse : Heartbreaker (2006)
Babymouse : Rockstar (2006)
Link to the teachers guide:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375857126.pdf

Visit the Babymouse website:
www.babymouse.com

Look for other graphic novel serials such as Kit Feeny, Stone Rabbit, or Lunch Lady.