Mice Are Rather Nice

This week's toddler story time theme was "Mice Are Rather Nice." Mice naturally lend themselves nicely to children's picture books; small, mischievous, and cute (as long as they are not in your house). This week's books were a big hit:



This little mouse is absolutely craving a midnight snack. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for the poor folks living in the house) the kitchen is stocked with the right kind of food for a hungry little mouse: cookies, crackers, cheese, and CORNFLAKES! Mouse makes an outstanding mess in the kitchen. A big hit with my toddlers!



I adore this book.
This darling little mouse is just fanatic about his red ripe strawberry. His facial expressions when the "narrator" tells him about the BIG HUNGRY BEAR that also adores red ripe strawberries are hilarious.



Little Mouse keeps telling his mother that he "wants another, Mother!" Poor Mrs. Mouse thinks he wants another mother, so she rounds up Mrs. Frog, Mrs. Pig, and all the other mothers in the area. However, what Little Mouse really wants is another kiss from *his* mother. A sweet yet not annoying bedtime story that also works well with a Mother's Day theme.

Fingerplays:

The Mouse Went Around the Room

The mouse went around the room (draw big circle in air)
The mouse went around the room
The mouse went around the room
And what do you think he saw? (shoulders shrug, palms open)

He saw a great big cat (indicate big cat with arms in circle)
He saw a great big cat
He saw a great big cat
And what do you think he did?

The mouse crept into his hole (crouch down)
The mouse crept into his hole
The mouse crept into his hole
Safe and sound at last

Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock (clap while saying)
The mouse ran up the clock (run fingers up arm)
The clock struck one (clap)
The mouse ran down (run fingers down arm)
Hickory dickory dock (clap while saying)

Once There Lived a Quiet Mouse

Once there lived a quiet mouse (make a fist)
In a quiet little house (put finger in fist)
When all was quiet as could be
Out popped he (pull finger out of fist)

Flannel Board
Pieces: 5 little mice, cake, cheese, kitten, circle for hole
Everyone indicates the action within the flannel board story


5 little mice on the pantry floor
This little mouse peeked around the door
This little mouse nibbled on some cake
This little mouse not a sound did make
This little mouse took a big bite of cheese
And this little mouse heard the kitten sneeze
Achoo! sneezed the kitten
And squeak they all cried
They found their hole and hurried inside

Opening: Shake My Sillies Out with rhythm instruments
Closing circle songs: Ring Around the Rosie (twice), Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush