In the beginning of this book, there is a note explaining where it came from. This is important to read to children before starting the story to give them a background and origin. In this one, it explains that this specific story has been elaborated through many tellings. It began in Sierra Leone, Africa. It is very important to the Limba people and Limba grandparents always tell this tale to their grandchildren and it passes down through generations. It begins by explaining how cats were usually clever and mice were usually foolish, but Mabela the mouse was clever because her father taught her to be. He always repeated to her to keep her eyes and ears open, and always look and listen. One day a cat came into the mice's village and told them they could be a part of the secret cat society and learn the secrets of the cat if they came to the cat's meeting place. They all foolishly followed each other to her secret meeting place, with the cat following behind. Mabela lead because she was the smallest. Each time they sang their chant, the cat would snatch one up and put it in her bag to eat. Mabela, remembering the wisdom her dad passed to her, caught on to the cat's plan and escaped. Finally, the cat got stuck in thorns and the mice were set free. In this tale, I believe it is more of a folklore story to teach a lesson. A factor that I caught on to for these types of folklore books, is that animals are mostly used to portray the story. I admire the illustrations in children's book, especially in folklore books. The text itself is great for children to expand creativity and imagination, but the illustration is very crucial to that as well. Being able to see it play out will give the tale or myth the full effect. ( )

Mabela is a young mouse who lives in mouse village. Her father taught her the importance of being aware of her surroundings and being clever. One day a cat comes to invite all the mice to join the secret cat society. Mabela leads the line of mice into the forest as the cat told them to do as they all chant a song. Mabela realizes that she is not hearing as many mice behind her and starts to focus in on her surroundings as her father taught her to do. She realizes that the cat, who was at the end of the line, is directly behind her. She realizes the cat is capturing the mice to eat and begins to run. The cat tries to catch her but gets stuck in thorns instead. All the captured mice are freed.

This book opens with an explanation of the history of the tale, where it came from (England) and a little tune and it’s musical measure to go along with it. I thought this was a good way to explain the origin of the tale, so that readers have a better idea of what the story will be about and where it came from.
Mabela is a young mouse whose father taught her cleverness, and how not to be foolish like all of the other mice. The cats in the story were said to be the clever animals, so her father warned her to be careful around them, and not be oblivious. I liked how the book displayed the senses that Mabela’s father described when giving her advice on how to be clever, “listen, look around you, pay attention to what you are saying, and move fast!”
I also liked how in the illustrations above the text (aside from he actual page drawings) shows the close-up of a cap with it’s eyes that look peculiar as if the cat knows he is ricking the mice into coming to is house to join “the secret cat society” meanwhile, the readers know that he will try and eat them. In the illustrations, I notified the mice have wide opened eyes, which lead me to believe they were curious, oblivious, and foolish, however Mabela remained skeptical of the cat like her father had told her. The cat tells the mice to march in a straight line into the forest and not look back; one by one it eats the mice and the one in front does not notice. Mabela starts remembering the father’s advice and listens- does not hear many other mice talking and cats voice is closer than before, as she is at the front of the line, and she manages to escape the cat. I think the meaning of the story is to be smart and aware and clever and not oblivious and foolish to other people. ( )

This is a folklore about a cat learning from a mouse. In a time where cats where clever and mouses are foolish, there was this one mouse that was smarter than all. Throughout, the book the mouse remembers things his father has told him, like mini lessons. Which is pretty cute to show to children. ( )

This colorful story teaches the skills of observation to a young mouse. By heeding the advice of her father, Mabela learns to be clever to keep herself safe and rescue her friends. This book illustrates the need for proper punctuation as lots of normal and exciting dialogue takes place. Knowing when to emphasize key points is demonstrated. I like this book because it tells how to be observant of what is happening around you. Many children need to be taught these skills as observation skills are largely forgotten. ( )