Getting a Read: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
It’s my firm belief that when a person recommends a book to me, they’re handing me an inside look at their soul. In this series, “Getting a Read,” I try to uncover truth about books and their recommenders.
THE RECOMMENDER
Greyson loves Elmo!
Greyson Revell, two-year-old son of my friends Callie and Sam Revell. His mom is a writer and his dad is a teacher, and they’ve done a great job teaching him to love, love, love books.
HOW TO READ IT
With a glass of milk and a cookie if you happen to have those things in your house. If, like me, you’re dairy and gluten lacking, maybe you’ll have to dream up those things to fully enjoy the book. Or find a comfy chair and an adorable kiddo to snuggle and simply enjoy the reading experience as I did.
REVIEW: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
“If you give a mouse a cookie, he is going to ask for a glass of milk.”
Greyson’s mom and dad are gracious enough to let me watch him occasionally. I enjoy it every time they ask, being a big fan of kiddos and having none of my own. This year they wanted to continue their tradition of seeing the new Star Wars film for their anniversary. Fine with me, that meant I got at least an hour of playtime with this adorable little dude.
We colored, played with his truck, and watched Elmo for a while before it was time for that most sacred of rituals—choosing a bedtime story.
Greyson knew what to do. He went straight for the shelf that held his favorites and grabbed the first one in the row: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie.
I didn’t recognize it at first glance. The cover was off, and he handed it to me backward so the tell-tale mouse imprint on the inner fabric cover faced away from me.
What a fun addition to this book!
He led me to the rocking chair in the corner of the room. I sat and he immediately crawled into my lap and settled in, waiting for the book to begin.
Only when I opened it did I recognize it and smile. Later, I texted Ian to say how much fun I’d had with his godson and he asked:
“Did he pick out a book when it was time for bed?”
And when I answered in the affirmative,
“Was it ‘If you Give a Mouse a Cookie’?”
I laughed and replied that it was indeed.
“He always chooses that one,” Ian told me.
Clearly this kiddo knows what he likes.
This little book was well-loved. I began to read and noticed the telltale tears and staples crafted and mended by tiny hands and mamas in so many books just like this one.
Callie to the rescue with the stapler!
Greyson fought me to flip five pages at once a few times, but mostly he sat back and enjoyed the story.
Isn’t it funny how children’s books can teach so much in so little space? This one teaches humor and hyperbole, outlines the slippery slope fallacy, and cements the concept of consequences. We didn’t own a copy of this book when I was small, but I remember seeking it out at bookstores and the library over and over. I’ve always been fascinated by books about food. Maybe it started with this book. I loved to imagine the taste of the cookie and milk at the beginning and watch as the shenanigans built throughout the story.
When the book was finished (or might we say, ready to start over?) Greyson slid down from my lap and went straight to bed, curling up on the pillow and waiting for me to tuck him in. The perfect story for the perfect bedtime. I left the night light on, and slid quietly out the door, wondering if he’d dream of rambunctious mice and the taste of his mom’s chocolate chip cookies that night.
THE RECOMMENDER IN REVIEW
There’s something sacred, I think, about bedtime stories with little guys. This particular kiddo showed me he’s an obedient, book-loving, creature of habit in this particular interaction, and what a joy it was to join him in this nightly ritual. Greyson, I’m told, has a whole list of favorites when it’s not time for bed. I’d take his recommendations any day.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Oh my goodness, can you EVER find this book anywhere books are sold. But you know what I’m gonna say—find your favorite local bookstore and pull one off the shelf. If, by some shocking happenstance, they don’t have it, ask them to order it for you. It comes in paperback and hardback, and I bet you can even get a board book version for your even younger kids.
