The Loin and the Mouse

                                                                            Jerry Pinkney

©2009 Little, Brown and Company

33 pages

Traditional Literature

            Jerry Pinkney puts a twist on this classic tale when he tells it without words. Onomatopoeias are the only words used in this book. The little mouse, in the beginning of the story, promises to help the lion one day when he needs it. So instead of eating the mouse, the lion lets the mouse go. The little mouse goes through with its promise to the lion and helps him in a time of need. This is a great story of helping others and putting someone before yourself.

            The illustrations look like they had been drawn in pencil watercolor and colored pencil on paper. The illustrations are what make the book come to life. Without words, the pictures are the most important thing in a wordless story. The illustrations are beautiful and unique to this book.

            This book is for a younger group like kindergarten through third games. Teacher can use this book to teach about the fables and traditional literature genre. In kindergarten the teacher could use the book to look at the picture to see what a mouse or a lion looks like.

            This book won the 2011 Caldecott  award. 

Check out the author's website. Click here.