Livingstone Mouse

I really enjoyed this story even as an adult, and I think that's because I was able to connect the dots in the story to the eventual punch line. The story is about a little mouse who goes off on an adventure, looking for a suitable place to nest, and takes up his mother's suggestion that "China" might be a nice place. So having no idea where or what China is, Livingstone the mouse goes from one place to the next, feeling disappointed when he discovers that the places he has picked are not the elusive China he is seeking. Finally, he does find China, but it's not quite what one would expect. Older children and adults will appreciate the finer nuances of this story, but little ones like my preschooler will enjoy the illustrations and sense of adventure more than the actual finding of the "China". I had to explain quite a bit to my preschooler - like the mouse trap in the story, and the fact that "China" refers both to a country and also a kind of porcelain. The illustrations are darling, and my preschooler loved leafing through the pages. This is a cute story, but it may be a bit too complex for younger readers to appreciate.

I am a kindergarten teacher and love this book. It is very easy to animate which way China is by pointing in different directions for Livingstone Mouse to go. Most children like to dig towards China in the sand box so they are surprised that it is a serving tea pot. This is one of my favorite books I like to read aloud to my class.

Livingstone is a brave little mouse who wants to build his nest in the "greatest place in the world". His mama suggests that "China is very nice". So off scurries Livingstone in search of China. At every turn he discovers some wonderful places to build his nest and assumes he has at last found his destination. But neighbors inform him that he has been mistaken...which is just fine with Livingstone. Each place has assaulted his senses in one fashion or another. One place is too loud, one place smells awful, one place is too bright! But at the end, and with a delightful twist of words, Livingstone stumbles across what he hopes will be his future home. The illustrations in this book are nothing short of outstanding! They really captured my children's attention! This book helped me introduce the five senses to my little ones. I must admit, even I get a tickle out of reading it myself. You won't be disappointed.

This is an excellent children's book. I read it to a class of 20 second graders and they were transfixed to the pages. The illustrations were very detailed and beautifully done. The story line is entertaining and comical. In the process of looking for a new home, Livingstone Mouse encounters quite a few obstacles.