Module 10: Babymouse for President

Book Summary

Babymouse is running for school president in this popular graphic novel series. She is up against several good candidates including her own locker, but mean-girl Felicia, a cat, is also running and is out to make Babymouse's life difficult and humiliating. Babymouse must remain positive as she battles self-doubt and uses her wild imagination to rise above Felicia’s mean tricks. But Babymouse gets carried away and starts promising anything and everything to everyone to win votes. During the candidate debate, Babymouse comes to her senses and gives a stirring speech about student rights and needs. However, in the end, cuteness wins in the form of Santiago, the baby seal.

APA Reference of Book

Holm, J. & Holm, M. (2012). Babymouse for president. New York, NY: Random House.

Impressions

The story of Babymouse running for president is a fun read sure to attract young readers wanting something enjoyable and easy, but they get more. The story is solid and has a message to its readers: believe in yourself, do your best, and stay true to yourself. Try as hard as she might, Babymouse does not win the election. Instead, she stresses out and gets a little crazy, but in the end her true character comes through. The character of Babymouse is interestingly drawn and undergoes dramatic changes. In the end, she learns the lessons that elections don't always seem fair, telling people what they want to get something is dishonest and disrespectful, and that even if we do our best, we don't always get what we want.

Professional Review

Babymouse isn’t the only one running for student council president—her opponents include enemy Felicia and her own cantankerous locker (who comes out ahead in the preliminary polls). Fans will enjoy this election year entry, as Babymouse daydreams (living in The Pink House, signing a bill for a no-fractions law) and learns hard lessons (sometimes the wrong candidate wins). Accessible text matched with dynamic illustrations in engaging cartoon-panel layouts help make graphic novels inviting packages for younger readers, struggling or reluctant readers, and comics-loving kids.

Graphic Novels for Children. (2013, May/June). [Review of the book Babymouse for 

       president, by J. Holm & M. Holm]. Horn Book Magazine, 89(3), 111-112. Retrieved from www.hbook.com

Library Uses

Librarians could use the reading of this story to increase understanding of politics, the election process, and political campaigns. This would be a valuable lesson for student, local, or national election time.