Maisy Goes to the Movies

December 9, 2013
In this addition to the Maisy First Experiences line of books, Cousins’s mouse heroine and friends walk readers through the basics of catching a flick on the big screen. After settling on a film and stopping at the concession stand, Maisy and company give their tickets to an ostrich and settle into their seats. Cousins briskly defuses potential pitfalls that include a fear of the dark, the need to stay quiet, and the call of nature (“They go as fast as they can. And wash their hands very quickly.... They don’t want to miss anything”). Cousins’s vivid, ever-cheery artwork and economical writing continue to offer a welcoming and reassuring introduction to reader “firsts.” Ages 3–7.

April 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Maisy heads to the multiplex with her friends Charley the Crocodile, Tallulah the Chick, Cyril the Squirrel, and Eddie the Elephant. With so many films to choose from, it's hard to decide what to see. They select the one with their favorite movie star. After purchasing their tickets and snacks, they enter the theater. Even though they all want to sit in different places, they each find the right seat. Cyril is afraid of the dark and ends up holding Maisy's hand. Eddie is hushed by the crowd when he talks out loud. Tallulah and others need to use the restroom in the middle of the show. These are realistic situations that children will encounter firsthand when going to the cinema. After the movie, the pals discuss their favorite parts and then wonder what they can do. See it again, of course. Familiar primary-color gouache illustrations depict the action. Dark font against the dusk of the theater backgrounds makes it difficult to read the text on those pages, but white font is used when the theater is completely dark. Simple and true to the Maisy style, minus the lift flaps and pull tabs. An appealing addition.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
It's time for a little woodpecker to learn how to peck: "Now, off you go, / my little one. / Practice hard / and have some fun." And peck it does, first outside then in a house, pecking everything in sight while actual holes accumulate on the thick pages. The rhythmic text is bouncy and, as always, Cousins's illustrations are bold and recognizable.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)