Mabela the Clever - Softcover

MacDonald, Margaret Read

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807549037 ISBN 13: 9780807549032

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2006

Synopsis

Pick of the Lists, ABA
A 2001 Parents' Choice Picture Book Silver Honor
Highly Commended Book–2002 Charlotte Zolotow Award Committee
Texas Library Association 2002 2 X 2 Reading List
Children's Literature Choice List 2002
Storytelling World Award-2002 Winner-Stories for Young Listeners
2001 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society
2003 Washington Children's Choice Master List

"MacDonald's retelling of this Limba tale is engineered for storytime success."—School Library Journal starred review

Mabela may be the smallest mouse in the village, but her father has taught her to be clever. And this cleverness comes in handy when the cat comes, inviting everyone to join the secret Cat Society. The mice line up, with Mabela at the front and the Cat at the back. They march into the forest, singing the secret Cat song and shouting FO FENG! Only clever Mabela realizes the Cat is up to no good!

About this title

Product Description

An African folktale about a mouse who pays close attention to her surroundings and avoids being tricked by the cat.

Review

"Folklorist MacDonald retells this cautionary tale from the Limba people of Sierra Leone with a zesty panache present from the opening lines...From tone to pace, MacDonald's choices here are right on the money: this is a cautionary tale that will be rip-roaring fun to tell, listen to, and act out. The father mouse's words of wisdom bear reiteration, and the short song/chant demands repeating. Crayon-colored, pop-eyed little mice and the green-eyed ginger cat stand out against the shades-of-gold-and-green background. Feathery brush-strokes add texture to Coffey's acrylics, and the fantastical setting suits the magical nature of this tale."

"MacDonald's retelling of this Limba tale is engineered for storytime success."

School Library Journal

"Feathery brush-strokes add texture to Coffey's acrylics, and the fantastical setting suits the magical nature of this tale."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Edition details

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807549037
• ISBN 13: 9780807549032
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Coffey Tim
• Number of pages: 32