Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! (Babymouse)

I just checked out from the libray and read Babymouse: Queen of the World! by brother-sister team Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. It's a graphic novel, something I rarely read (I've only read two true graphic novels besides this one, and several hybrids).

The book was adorable, fun, and Babymouse is totally my kinda gal. From her huge imagination to her love of books (and dislike of books without proper endings) to her spunk and style, she's my newest fictional pal. I can't wait to read the rest in the series.

My daughter received this book as a gift from her teacher, and wow, what a wonderful gift it is. If you're looking for a book to sit down and have your 6 -10 year old read to you, this one is perfect. It's displayed in an artistic comic-book style, not rigid sequential format, but lovely black and white inks and very clear and easy to read prose. Needless to say we've read books 1 and 3 and just purchased 2 and 4. Babymouse is a treasure!

I am a 4th Grader and I liked the part where Babymouse's locker attacked her and the Squid spit her out. This book was real good because it had funny pictures and the words were funny. I have never read a book like this before. I also like her stories because they have drama and action. I think only girls would like book becuse the main character is a girl and the book has lots of pink in it. My Mom also read the book and it made her laugh. One thing about Babymouse, she loves cupcakes like me.

This is the first book in the Babymouse series. It is a comic book, and everything is black, white, and pink. Babymouse is a mouse, and she is in middle school. (The next part of my review tells what hapoens in the book, so if you haven't read it yet you might want to skip this review.)
In the book, Babymouse has daydreams about being Queen of the World. One day her locker gets stuck, and her friend Wilson the Weasel comes and helps her open it. He invites her to her house to watch a movie. Then at lunch her banana rolls off the table and under another table where Felicia, a girl that Babymouse wants to be friends with, is sitting. Babymouse crawls under the table and overhears Felicia telling her friends that she is having a sleepover.
Now Babymouse wants to be invited. One day Felicia forgets to do her book report so Babymouse lets her have hers so she'll get an invitation to the party. Babymouse goes to the party, but she's bored and she accidentally spills pink nail polish all over Felicia. Then she remembers Wilson so when Felicia makes her make the popcorn while they watch a boring movie, Babymouse gets mad and dumps the popcorn on Felicia's head. Then she leaves and goes to Wilson's house and realizes that her life isn't as boring as she thinks it is.

In the book, Babymouse often has daydreams and isn't paying attention to what's really happening. When she opens her locker, a monster eats her homework. When someone tells her to pass a note to the person behind her, she's a detective. Of course none of this really happens, but it does show it in the book the way Babymouse imagined it.
The books in this series are:
#1 Babymouse: Queen of the World!
#2 Babymouse: Our Hero
#3 Babymouse: Beach Babe
#4 Babymouse: Rock Star (coming soon)

What Dav Pilkey has given boys with Captain Underpants, Jennifer & Matthew Holm have given girls with a character that they will identify with. Just as Captain Underpants has great crossover appeal with boys and girls, so will Babymouse.

I could not stop reading Babymouse. The artwork is full of humor, life and movement. Babymouse lives a life any school kid will identify with. Getting up in the morning is hard. Finding your place in the social strata of school life results in angst and envy. P.E. is not for the faint of heart. Opening your locker is dangerous. Good friends are worth more than gold. Babymouse has an imagination that sweeps her away. After missing the school bus she has to walk to school. In her mind (and on the page) she is a pioneer on an arduous trail through the West. It reminded me of the flights of fantasy Calvin and Hobbes enjoyed.

I realize these books are pitched at elementary but the themes resonate through jr. high. If I was a jr. high librarian, I would have to get them for my collection.

I also love the fact that Babymouse is a reader. There are stacks of books in her room.
BRAVA!