Mouse Paint
Written and Illustrated by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Red Wagon Books Harcourt, Inc., 1989
Suitable for: Ages 1 to 3
Theme/Topic: Colors, Exploration, Humor
Opening:
Once there were three white mice on a white piece of paper.
The cat couldn’t find them.
Brief Synopsis: From the summary — Three white mice discover jars of red, blue, and yellow paint and explore the world of color.
Link to resources: A homeschool unit on Ellen Stoll Walsh’s books. Three color worksheets and colors recognition practice information and worksheets. Eric VanRaepenbusch’s ebook Three Ghost Friends Learn About Colors is a cute way to add another story about color. Three Ghost Friends also has a color craft stick sorting activity. Enzo likes both his Mouse Paint board book and flipping the digital pages of Eric’s book.
Why I chose this book: Enzo received this book from his cousins Emmett and Owen in Pocatello, Idaho. We had a fun visit with them last summer. They taught him how to wrestle. Today, the book teaches him how to mix colors. He continues to wrestle.
To find more picture books and resources, please visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and look for the Perfect Picture Books page.
A Life in General note — I didn’t mention this on Monday’s blog, because Tuesday was election day (or the day it was official, because no election took place). I earned a spot on my neighborhood’s metro district board of directors.
Logical question: “So, what will you do Stacy?” Once I finish reading the hundreds of pages I received late Wednesday, I can answer the question. I asked for the material earlier. Sigh.
I signed up for the position in February for one of three openings, so residents will have a representative on the government board overseeing our taxes, etc. I’ll take my oath on Monday.
This week, I also received a jury summons for June. I’m still trying to figure out childcare, my class schedule and volunteer duties at Vacation Bible School. Hubby pointed out that as a student, I can delay service to a future date. I’ve never done that before. The uncertainty of jury duty — do I report, do I not, do I get selected, do I keep having to report to the courtroom each day — seemed much more exciting before I had to worry about childcare. Oh, it’s not going to be a boring summer!
Great book choice! Love that your son continues to wrestle. Sadly that may not change for a very long time! My rule became outside or in the basement. That made it easier for me to co-exist with wrestlers!
Back to the book – I read it with my k-kids – they enjoy it. Thanks for sharing it.
sandi
rubber boots and elf shoes
Sandi, I like “outside or in the basement.” I’m his primary wrestling partner for now. 🙂
That book looks fun and I must try Erik’s out too.
Congrats on the position that’s great and I would look into the student thing. It’s probably the only excuse they will take. I’ve done jury duty, I’ll never forget the friends I made there, it was an experience.
Catherine, My first step is to check on my daycare options. If it’s too expensive, I have to pay for the entire week whether I serve or not – I’ll likely use the student option. 🙂 I’ve served twice before and been selected each time — including during my pregnancy.
This looks like such a cute book!
Your summer – wowza! You ain’t kidding you’ll be busy.
Karen, I get more rest during the fall than the summer. 🙂
I really like simple books like this! I bet all the illustrations are awesome!
Erik, I should have mentioned that. They are very simple and expressive.
I am glad he still wrestles – cool cousins and I would certainly find this a sweet complement to Three Ghost Fiends learn about colors!
Congrats on the position. Just don’t over stretch yourself over the summer, it’s meant to be a free and fun time too:)
Joanna, I was just saying that I’m busiest in the summer. I find there are so many things to fill up that “free and fun time” it gets to be very busy.
Stacy – Wow! Thank you for including a Three Ghost Friends activity in your review. We own Mouse Paint and I have read it to my children many times. I hope you and your family have a great weekend!
Eric, It’s a perfect addition to this book. I love your activites and must visit your blog more often.
Love the book! And great that you were able to include our fellow Eric’s book in your activity choice 🙂 Congrats on your election and good luck. And as for jury duty – that’s a tough one. I usually stay on the list and don’t end up getting called, but you never know… hope it works out.
Susanna, I’ve been called twice before — including federal jury duty while pregnant. Fruit Loops during breaks were the only thing to keep from throwing up during testimony. 🙂 It was all part of my NaNoWriMo Disaster of 2009. Ah, fond memories.
I loved reading Mouse Paint to my kids when they were younger, and the best part is, they really DO learn colors by reading it.
Congratulations on your elected position! You’ll be fantastic for it.
Jury duty NEVER comes at a good time. If there’s any way you can swing it, I’d do it just to get your name out of the pool for a while. 😉
Thanks Julie. I’m trying to weigh all the options, before I throw out the “I can’t do it.”
I love this book. I discovered it last summer, and was absolutely delighted with the way it teaches colors. Three Ghost Friends is the perfect accompaniment. Great selection!
As for all that other stuff, I already have trouble wrapping my mind around how mothers of young children can find time to write — and now you add fourteen million extra things to the list? Oh my.
(About Julie’s comment that Jury duty never comes at a good time, a notice came in the mail one day a couple of years ago summoning my Dad to jury duty. I filled out the request for being relieved of jury duty, citing the fact that he was 97 years old and in a nursing home. !!!)
Beth, I know it sounds like 14 million, but I promise I evaluated the commitment, etc. I need time to write! Oddly the elected post only meets a handful of times a year. Of course, I need to read all the materials, governing documents, etc. Otherwise, I don’t think I would be doing a good job. Once I read and understand all this, it should be easier.
What a fun book for young children. Love how it teaches colors and you could be quite creative with activities, in addition to those you mentioned.
Congratulations on your elected position! You’ll do great! I was called to jury duty in February and asked for an extension. Now, I’m supposed to serve in June.
Patricia, It is a fun book and does lend itself to many activities. Good luck with your service. Who knows? We may serve at the same time. 🙂
Love, love, love the cover. I’m so glad you told us about this one 🙂
You are a busy person! I had a jury duty summons just this week…the first one in years. They didn’t need me. They had a number to call Monday morning and an automated recording let me know what summons numbers they needed.
Good luck with your new position.
It is a fun cover and book. Thank you for serving Penny. The automated number and uncertainty about the day seemed more exciting when I didn’t have to worry about child care. 🙂
Congrats on your foray into public office, Stacy. Don’t they say that if you need something done you should ask a busy person? Also, I love your book recommendation. I remember reading it when the boys were younger.
Kirsten. Thanks. It is a fun book.
Ahhh, jury duty. Would you believe that I have served on THREE different juries? I am ready to put it on my resume and call myself an expert. It is a great experience that I think every American needs to do at least once in their lifetime…but just once will suffice…:-)
Great book choice, Stacy, and congrats on your new role!
Amy D. I’ve served twice before. It is a good experience and it’s part of our system. Thanks.
Ha! Well then you know well what you are in for and don’t need advice from me. I haven’t met very many people who have had to appear at all, much less actually been jurors. Maybe that is because they are calling those of us that do it repeatedly! hmmm…
I miss those books. I get to look at Star Wars early readers, which I like. But the board books and picture books for toddlers are just so sweet.