Bravo, Bucket Head!

July 1, 2022
A timid field mouse musters her courage. Shy Mousetta walks backward so she won't be seen. She hides everywhere she can; compared to the popular field mice, she's "mousey." She decides to attend an anti-shyness workshop after reading a newspaper ad, but first, she dons a bucket "for extra protection." Upon her arrival, the instructor dubs her "Bucket Head." Mousetta isn't alone in depending on a head covering: Other participants are welcomed as "Lampshade Head," "Wastebasket Head," and "Blankey Head." Before the session commences, the emergency siren and loudspeaker warn of fox sightings. Mousetta and fellow students stand frozen in fear...until she summons her loudest voice and urges them to "hold paws and CHARGE!" as one against the encroaching enemy--backward. Surprise! The foxes look at these odd-looking creatures and turn tail immediately. Afterward, Mousetta removes her bucket, checks out her fellow fox fighters carefully--after they've doffed their own headgear--and discovers something very unexpected about them. A town parade, in which Mousetta is hailed as a hero, ensues. This cute, humorous story, promoting the idea that shyness isn't a flaw, could embolden skittish youngsters; the point is made that, for some, bravado might mask fearfulness. The adorable watercolor illustrations are lively; the murine characters are full of personality. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sweet and reassuring as a self-esteem booster. (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2022
The author and illustrator of the hugely popular Tacky the Penguin series team up again for a book about Tacky's opposite: painfully shy Mousetta, who "never squoke a squeak." She is so shy that she walks backward to avoid meeting anyone. She scurries out of sight, she hides; she's nothing like the three "really popular" mice in her class who are "cool," "gorgeous," and "awesome." When Dr. Gladpaw advertises a workshop to "make you feel outgoing," she signs up and attends with a bucket on her head. To her surprise, three other mice show up with their heads covered up, too. Everyone is in peril when a group of foxes appears ("Foxes in the area! Run and take cover!"), and it is Mousetta who finds her voice and saves them all. Lester's comic timing is right on cue, and Munsinger's watercolors against bright white pages use lots of smaller panels to capture each moment of the story with humor and fun. This is a great read-aloud with lots of different opportunities for discussion. Susan Dove Lempke

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

October 6, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 Mousetta is a shy mouse. How shy? She walks backwards to avoid meeting anyone and hides beneath her parents' clothing. At school, she conceals herself wherever possible--behind curtains, beneath sand on the playground, behind rocks on field trips. One day, the timid youngster sees a newspaper ad for a workshop on overcoming shyness. It is exactly what Mousetta needs! The prospect of going is terrifying, but she armors herself against her fear by putting a bucket on her head and begins the (backward) walk to the meeting. Comically, other mice also back into the room, their own heads covered with everything from blankets to lampshades. Suddenly, an emergency siren sounds, and Mousetta finds the bravery to take charge--and is rewarded with some surprising new friendships. The illustrations' pastel watercolors bring to mind such classics as The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Chrysanthemum and capitalize on the heartwarming story's humor. Children grappling with shyness will relate to Mousetta and her over-the-top methods of coping with this at-times overwhelming feeling.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2022
The author and illustrator of the hugely popular Tacky the Penguin series team up again for a book about Tacky's opposite: painfully shy Mousetta, who "never squoke a squeak." She is so shy that she walks backward to avoid meeting anyone. She scurries out of sight, she hides; she's nothing like the three "really popular" mice in her class who are "cool," "gorgeous," and "awesome." When Dr. Gladpaw advertises a workshop to "make you feel outgoing," she signs up and attends with a bucket on her head. To her surprise, three other mice show up with their heads covered up, too. Everyone is in peril when a group of foxes appears ("Foxes in the area! Run and take cover!"), and it is Mousetta who finds her voice and saves them all. Lester's comic timing is right on cue, and Munsinger's watercolors against bright white pages use lots of smaller panels to capture each moment of the story with humor and fun. This is a great read-aloud with lots of different opportunities for discussion.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)