Babymouse: The Musical

(Babymouse 10)

by
Jennifer L. Holm

&

Matthew Holm

Random House, January 2009, 96 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-375-84388-4

Genre: Early Chapter
Subgenres: Graphic Novel / Humor
Reviewed: 9/18/2010

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Graphic Novel Page

Synopsis

Babymouse meets the new boy at school and instantly falls for him. After all, Henry Higgins is a British hedgehog and he is awfully cute. All the girls seem to swoon over him, and Babymouse is no exception.

The next day at school, Henry Higgins asks Babymouse if she is going to try out for the school musical. When he tells Babymouse that she will be brilliant, she decides to try out. Unfortunately, she is not as brilliant as Felicia Furrypaws, who earns the lead female role, and Babymouse becomes her understudy. Henry Higgins, of course, gets the lead male role.

The director of the play, Miss Lenore Birdstein, works hard with all of the children while Babymouse watches from backstage wishing she were out there singing with Henry Higgins. Oh, if only something would happen to Felicia that would prevent her from going onstage then Babymouse would get her big break and be able to play the main female part on stage. If only . . .

On opening night, Babymouse gets her chance. Felicia is sick! Now is her big chance. The spotlight will be on her. Can she pull it off? Will she be able to sing without cracking? Does she know all of her lines? Does she know the difference between stage left and stage right? Will she be able to leap into Henry Higgins arms?  Hmmm . . . maybe.

Babymouse: The Musical is the tenth book in the Babymouse series and is written and drawn by sister and brother team Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. This humorous book is a graphic novel about a young mouse and her and her ability to cope with everyday situations. This book is intended for girls ages 6 to 10.

Review

Babymouse: The Musical is another fun-packed episode in Babymouse's life. Babymouse is a fan of the musical and sings her way through many of the famous musicals that she has watched on television, at least in her daydreams. Babymouse sings songs from Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, My Fair Lady, Grease, and Annie. She even has a moment when she thinks that she is on American Idol.

Henry Higgins is a nice addition to the Babymouse family of characters. I loved that he was down to earth and that he treated Babymouse nicely. I laughed at his name, since "Henry Higgins" is the name of the main male character in My Fair Lady, one of my favorite musicals. It was also nice to see Babymouse get her break and be able to perform onstage. After all, she can't always mess everything up, can she?

So, Babymouse has her first crush and she handles it well. At least she talks with Henry Higgins and just doesn't watch him from afar. I thought that this was a great thing that Jennifer L. Holm did, having Babymouse actually talk to Henry Higgins. So many people never approach the person they like and never even have a chance with them because they don't take that first step. Babymouse did, and I am proud of her.

The artwork by Matthew Holm, is right on par. I love his lines and how he really captured the feel of all those old musicals. I found the entire thing to be quite scrumdiddlyumptious, as Willy Wonka might say.

Overall, Babymouse: The Musical is an excellent book that Early Chapter Readers will gobble up like chocolate. Sorry, I still seem to be stuck on the Willy Wonka theme. Babymouse never fails to entertain and watching her in all those musicals is highly entertaining, although children might not know many of those musicals . . .yet. I cannot wait to see how Babymouse fairs next in Babymouse: Dragonslayer. It sounds very exciting.

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.