Mouse Scouts

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 20, 2016

Review

This first in an adorable new series will entice lovers of Ivy & Bean and other series of that ilk. Violet and Tigerlily are friends who are about to progress from being Buttercups to join the ranks of the Acorn Scouts. They are extremely excited. They will now be able to sport the Acorn Scout uniform which includes a snappy acorn cap. When they meet the scout leader, the severe Miss Poppy, they are a bit taken back. On the first day, they learn that along with their regular meetings and endeavors, they will have an extra summer project to undertake. They must plant a garden, weed it, tend it, water it, and reap the harvest. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. It is a lot of work and they battle bugs, slugs, raccoons and lots of other impediments along the way. Readers will learn a great deal about gardening in this lovely tale, along with how to best share tasks around a single goal. Amusing illustrations in black and white add to the appeal of this genesis of the series. One can even learn the Acorn Scout song. I am sure there are lots of young readers that will gravitate quickly to these yummy new cast of characters.

Overall Book Score: very good