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Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
The beloved Caldecott Honor Book and Christopher Award winner about two unlikely friends who see each other for who they are inside.
Everyone loves Willy the wind-up mouse, while Alexander, the real mouse, is chased away with brooms and imperiled by mousetraps. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be loved and cuddled, thinks Alexander, and he wishes he could be a wind-up mouse, too. In this gentle fable about a real mouse and a mechanical one, Leo Lionni explores the magic of friendship.
Originally published in 1969, the Caldecott Honor-winning Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is sure to enchant a whole new generation of readers.
"A delicate fantasy about friendship, illustrated with bold, sumptuous collages."-- The New York Times
Everyone loves Willy the wind-up mouse, while Alexander, the real mouse, is chased away with brooms and imperiled by mousetraps. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be loved and cuddled, thinks Alexander, and he wishes he could be a wind-up mouse, too. In this gentle fable about a real mouse and a mechanical one, Leo Lionni explores the magic of friendship.
Originally published in 1969, the Caldecott Honor-winning Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is sure to enchant a whole new generation of readers.
"A delicate fantasy about friendship, illustrated with bold, sumptuous collages."-- The New York Times
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 1969
About the author
Leo Lionni
151 books452 followersLeo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
April 11, 2019
The cover makes me laugh. We see a mouse inside a Russian Doll, but that picture is never in the story. It is cute though. This is a story about being ok with who you are.
Alexander is a lonely mouse who is always chased away. He finds a wind up mouse he befriends named Willie. Willie is very loved by the little girl in the house. Willie sleeps in a warm bed and played with. Alexander thinks he wants to be a wind-up mouse like Willie so he’s not so lonely. One Day, he finds Willie in a discard box. The girl got new toys and Willie was out. There is also a magic Lizard in the story and Alexander was going to become a wind-up mouse. It’s a nice ending. Sweet.
Leo Lionni wins this award quite a bit. I like this story and the art work is simply, but nice.
The nephew thought this was a good story. He thought of the wind-up mouse as a robot and he wanted to make one. He gave this 4 stars. The niece was in a mood last night and she didn’t want to read anything. She listened to the story and then gave this 1 star. I think she would like this story if she hadn’t been in a place. It happens.
Alexander is a lonely mouse who is always chased away. He finds a wind up mouse he befriends named Willie. Willie is very loved by the little girl in the house. Willie sleeps in a warm bed and played with. Alexander thinks he wants to be a wind-up mouse like Willie so he’s not so lonely. One Day, he finds Willie in a discard box. The girl got new toys and Willie was out. There is also a magic Lizard in the story and Alexander was going to become a wind-up mouse. It’s a nice ending. Sweet.
Leo Lionni wins this award quite a bit. I like this story and the art work is simply, but nice.
The nephew thought this was a good story. He thought of the wind-up mouse as a robot and he wanted to make one. He gave this 4 stars. The niece was in a mood last night and she didn’t want to read anything. She listened to the story and then gave this 1 star. I think she would like this story if she hadn’t been in a place. It happens.
July 23, 2020
I love the cover and was surprised not to find this image in the story. The inside illustrations are not so nice, pattern overload, not used sparingly with good effect like the cover.
Alexander the real mouse makes friends with a wind up mouse. The wind up mouse is a little girls favourite toy and she sleeps with him under her pillow, however when she has a birthday party and gets lots of presents she throws him away in a box of rubbish! What a horrible idea, it's not even mentioned again. It doesn't even say the toys are going to be given to someone, just thrown away. Awful.
The wind up mouse wants to be real and the real mouse wants to be a wind up one, as in the last book I read by this author it seems to be suggesting we should all be the same. When the mice do become the same they are very happy. The images seem to have a Russian theme but this didn't have any relation to the story.
Read on open library.
Alexander the real mouse makes friends with a wind up mouse. The wind up mouse is a little girls favourite toy and she sleeps with him under her pillow, however when she has a birthday party and gets lots of presents she throws him away in a box of rubbish! What a horrible idea, it's not even mentioned again. It doesn't even say the toys are going to be given to someone, just thrown away. Awful.
The wind up mouse wants to be real and the real mouse wants to be a wind up one, as in the last book I read by this author it seems to be suggesting we should all be the same. When the mice do become the same they are very happy. The images seem to have a Russian theme but this didn't have any relation to the story.
Read on open library.
July 14, 2012
A slightly off beat fable, featuring Leo Lionni's grey and white collaged mice. The book is made entirely by collage, with gorgeous printed cutouts interspersing and his frequently used wide-eyed mice. Alexander is a mouse who is tired of constantly dealing with the shrieks and broom swats from the humans who's house he resides in. When he notices how beloved a wind-up toy mouse is to the young girl who lives there, he decides he wants to find a way to turn himself into a toy. A magic lizard in the forest tells him that if he brings him a purple pebble, he can transform him into a wind-up mouse. Alexander sets out and finds the pebble nestled near a box of discarded toys. One of those toys is the same wind-up mouse that had previously been so loved. Struck by this, Alexander decides to use the lizard's magic to transform the wind-up mouse into a real one like himself, and the result is that upon his return home, he finds a new friend, Willy, waiting for him.
February 14, 2012
Review: This is a great book about friendship. Alexander being a real mouse becomes friends with Willy the wind-up mouse even though they are different. This book has a great meaning and at the end both mice are happy, which makes it a good ending. Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse book can show children what others will do for friends.
Learning Experience: After reading Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, talk about what the moral of this book was, wishing. Have the students write down three things that they would wish for. The students would get into groups of four and talk about their wishes to the group. This will give them an opportunity to make friends and talk about their wishes and how they could help make their classmates’ wishes come try.
Learning Experience: After reading Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, talk about what the moral of this book was, wishing. Have the students write down three things that they would wish for. The students would get into groups of four and talk about their wishes to the group. This will give them an opportunity to make friends and talk about their wishes and how they could help make their classmates’ wishes come try.
June 5, 2018
Neat! A fun little story about a mouse that befriends a toy windup mouse, containing a nice message cautioning against envy. My favorite part was the lizard.
February 28, 2011
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is told from the point of view of the day in the life of a mouse. Throughout the entire story images are displayed in proportion to the typical size of a mouse which provides the reader with a reasonable understanding for how a mouse views life. The pictures in this story vary in how they were displayed. At times there may have been only two or three items on a page which then left a lot of empty white space and seemed somewhat boring. Other times, however, the illustrator took advantage of the space and used it to the fullest covering every spot possible. The color patterns that were used in this book were also quite interesting. In the beginning many of the colors that were being used were different tones of browns, reds, and yellows. As the story continued colors then started to change into cooler blues, blacks, and greens until eventually there was a burst of bright colors which definately caught my attention. It was also noticable that the Lionni never fully colored a page completely. He always had a white bubble around his text which made it easy to find and to focus on.
January 25, 2017
The magic of friendship? I see this more as a story about being satisfied with who/what you are. The real mouse wants to be like the wind-up toy, but then has a last minute change of heart. (The Wizard of Willoughby Wallow is better, but it targets a slightly older audience.)
Annie gets rid of many of her old toys, including the wind-up mouse, when she gets new ones for her birthday. That left me with the impression that old is bad and new is better. The wind-up mouse went from being a favorite toy that slept on her pillow to being a discard. Not an idea that I endorse.
The art is cluttered -- too many patterns. Patterns on dishes, wallpaper, blankets, bottles ... and what's with the bottles? Are they supposed to be wine bottles? I think they represent the kitchen but why wine bottles? The labels on the bottles aren't legible, which is fine, but the letters almost look Russian, which also connects with the matryoshka. Is there supposed to be a Soviet connection?
At first I gave this 3 stars, but the more I think about the story, the less I like it; hence the 2 star rating.
Annie gets rid of many of her old toys, including the wind-up mouse, when she gets new ones for her birthday. That left me with the impression that old is bad and new is better. The wind-up mouse went from being a favorite toy that slept on her pillow to being a discard. Not an idea that I endorse.
The art is cluttered -- too many patterns. Patterns on dishes, wallpaper, blankets, bottles ... and what's with the bottles? Are they supposed to be wine bottles? I think they represent the kitchen but why wine bottles? The labels on the bottles aren't legible, which is fine, but the letters almost look Russian, which also connects with the matryoshka. Is there supposed to be a Soviet connection?
At first I gave this 3 stars, but the more I think about the story, the less I like it; hence the 2 star rating.
January 30, 2023
Very powerful message of selflessness.
November 8, 2008
Leo Lionni was a Dutch artist who grew up in Italy but fled to the United States at the outbreak of WWII. There he worked as a graphic artist and illustrator for Fortune Magazine. He returned to Italy in the 1960s where he began a new career as the writer and illustrator of children's literature. On of his earliest books is Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse.
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is an old childhood favorite of mine. Alexander is a mouse who lives in the wall of a home that has a little girl. One of her favorite toys is a wind up mouse named Willy. Alexander and Willy strike up a friendship that is slowly tainted by Alexander's jealousy over Willy's popularity. In the end though Alexander comes to rescue of Willy.
For the choice of a wind-up mouse and for the theme of the transformational powers of love, I am reminded of Russell Hoban's novel The Mouse and His Child. Lionni's book is a nice introduction to the much longer children's novel.
Leo Lionni's illustrations are similar to Eric Carl's. My children also have A Color of His Own, a book I'm surprised I haven't reviewed on this blog.
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is an old childhood favorite of mine. Alexander is a mouse who lives in the wall of a home that has a little girl. One of her favorite toys is a wind up mouse named Willy. Alexander and Willy strike up a friendship that is slowly tainted by Alexander's jealousy over Willy's popularity. In the end though Alexander comes to rescue of Willy.
For the choice of a wind-up mouse and for the theme of the transformational powers of love, I am reminded of Russell Hoban's novel The Mouse and His Child. Lionni's book is a nice introduction to the much longer children's novel.
Leo Lionni's illustrations are similar to Eric Carl's. My children also have A Color of His Own, a book I'm surprised I haven't reviewed on this blog.
September 6, 2018
A good lesson that shows the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Ages: 4 - 8
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Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
July 21, 2017
I love rodent heroes and I enjoyed this story.
November 15, 2018
A cute little story about friendship. Why am I only now reading this <3
September 27, 2016
1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is a Caldecott Honor Book. It is about a mouse named Alexander who is really quite lonely and does not understand why the humans are so mean towards him. He meets a wind-up mouse named Willy who is the child’s toy. He is treated the exact opposite from Alexander. Alexander wants to be just like his friend, Willy. He is informed of a way to do so, but will Alexander do it?
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a cute little book for grades Kindergarten to 2nd. It is very interesting and has a great moral behind it. The words are easy to read, but there are also quite a few words on each page.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would read this book aloud to my class as a part of reading and/or story time. It would also be good to use it as a way to get the students to think about the meaning behind the story.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students who love animals and friendship would love this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I could use this book in literature circles to see where my students are at with words (more for 2nd grade).
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
For my Kindergarten and 1st graders, I would definitely read this book to them as a class and come up with an activity to go with it.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Frederick by Leo Lionni
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I found an ebook, audiobook, and lots of different Youtube videos of people reading this story.
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse is a Caldecott Honor Book. It is about a mouse named Alexander who is really quite lonely and does not understand why the humans are so mean towards him. He meets a wind-up mouse named Willy who is the child’s toy. He is treated the exact opposite from Alexander. Alexander wants to be just like his friend, Willy. He is informed of a way to do so, but will Alexander do it?
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a cute little book for grades Kindergarten to 2nd. It is very interesting and has a great moral behind it. The words are easy to read, but there are also quite a few words on each page.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would read this book aloud to my class as a part of reading and/or story time. It would also be good to use it as a way to get the students to think about the meaning behind the story.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students who love animals and friendship would love this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I could use this book in literature circles to see where my students are at with words (more for 2nd grade).
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
For my Kindergarten and 1st graders, I would definitely read this book to them as a class and come up with an activity to go with it.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Frederick by Leo Lionni
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I found an ebook, audiobook, and lots of different Youtube videos of people reading this story.
October 23, 2014
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni is a book about how Alexander the mouse made his first friend. Alexander was driven off and disliked by everyone at first. Then he met a wind-up mouse who, unlike him, was the favorite of everyone. He searched for a purple pebble so the magic lizard could turn him into a likable wind-up toy. On his way searching, he discovered that the wind-up mouse was abandoned by its owner. In the end, he decided not to turn himself into a toy; instead, he asked the lizard to turn the wind-up mouse into a real mouse. And that was how the two mice lived happily together.
The story contains good morals. It tells children that we should not try to change ourselves to please others. Even though one may be alone for some time, eventually, he or she will find a company if they never give up. The story was sometimes completed by the pictures. For example, when Alexander finally found the purple pebble the lizard asked for, he also saw the wind-up mouse was left in the box where the old toys were put in. The word only tells that Alexander found the pebble but doesn’t tell anything about the wind-up mouse. The readers can only see that in the picture beside. The pictures are very cute and like paper-tear. With some magical elements in it, the book is really good for early readers.
The story contains good morals. It tells children that we should not try to change ourselves to please others. Even though one may be alone for some time, eventually, he or she will find a company if they never give up. The story was sometimes completed by the pictures. For example, when Alexander finally found the purple pebble the lizard asked for, he also saw the wind-up mouse was left in the box where the old toys were put in. The word only tells that Alexander found the pebble but doesn’t tell anything about the wind-up mouse. The readers can only see that in the picture beside. The pictures are very cute and like paper-tear. With some magical elements in it, the book is really good for early readers.
September 5, 2014
Alexander is a mouse who is full of adventure. He isn’t like your ordinary mouse. He is a mouse that wants love and affection. He becomes a resident in a young girls house and befriends another mouse named Willy. Willy isn’t just any ordinary mouse; he is a wind up mouse. Through out the story Willy and Alexander talk to each other and tell each other the amazing stories about their days. While Willy and Alexander become friends, Alexander wants to become a wind up mouse like Willy. Alexander finds out about the Magic Lizard who can change animals into another animal. Alexander goes on the journey to find the special item the Magic Lizard asks for. While Alexander embarks on this journey he finds Willy in a box with other toys to be thrown away. When time comes for Alexander to turn in his special item he realizes that he didn’t want to be a wind up mouse anymore, yet he wants to help save his friend Willy.
Alexander reminds me of how I am today. I am very compassionate toward my peers and any person that is apart of my life. He made me realize that it is okay to be selfish at times but in the end it’s the big heart that matters. Alexander may be a small mouse, but he is a mouse with a mighty voice.
Alexander is mouse that is not only full of imagination but has a kind heart. He shows compassion throughout the story and with the help of his friend Willy he is able to not only help himself but also help his friend. The illustrations on the pages captured my eye because they helped tell the story but also helped change the mood of every page. The vibrant colors on some pages drew my attention to what else was on the page except the text. The theme for this book is easily portrayed by Alexander’s actions. The theme for this story is compassion and friendship. Alexander helps teach life lessons that may not always be clear. He shows that having a big heart for others can be beneficial not only to you as a person but as well as the people that surround you.
Alexander reminds me of how I am today. I am very compassionate toward my peers and any person that is apart of my life. He made me realize that it is okay to be selfish at times but in the end it’s the big heart that matters. Alexander may be a small mouse, but he is a mouse with a mighty voice.
Alexander is mouse that is not only full of imagination but has a kind heart. He shows compassion throughout the story and with the help of his friend Willy he is able to not only help himself but also help his friend. The illustrations on the pages captured my eye because they helped tell the story but also helped change the mood of every page. The vibrant colors on some pages drew my attention to what else was on the page except the text. The theme for this book is easily portrayed by Alexander’s actions. The theme for this story is compassion and friendship. Alexander helps teach life lessons that may not always be clear. He shows that having a big heart for others can be beneficial not only to you as a person but as well as the people that surround you.
July 21, 2017
1. Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Picture Book
2. Copyright date: November 12, 1969
3. Estimate of age level of interest: 5 - 8 year olds
4. Estimate of reading level: K-3rd grade
5. Brief description: Alexander, a real mouse, wants to be loved like his toy friend, Willy. He chooses to use his wish to save Willy instead.
6. Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: In this classic book, Lionni uses the ripped-paper artwork to create this collage like imagery. At different points in the book, he makes both Alexander and Willy's eyes show emotion just by lowering their lids.
7. In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? 2nd graders will most love this book, as they are becoming stronger readers. There are harder words to read and understand, such as "envy" "alas" and "precious." The story itself will serve 2nd and 3rd graders as they are entering the social phase of friends over self.
8. Awards if any: Caldecott Honor, 1970, ALA Notable Children's Books, 1995
9. Citations for published reviews from professional sources: Horn Book Guide starred (March, 2007)
2. Copyright date: November 12, 1969
3. Estimate of age level of interest: 5 - 8 year olds
4. Estimate of reading level: K-3rd grade
5. Brief description: Alexander, a real mouse, wants to be loved like his toy friend, Willy. He chooses to use his wish to save Willy instead.
6. Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: In this classic book, Lionni uses the ripped-paper artwork to create this collage like imagery. At different points in the book, he makes both Alexander and Willy's eyes show emotion just by lowering their lids.
7. In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? 2nd graders will most love this book, as they are becoming stronger readers. There are harder words to read and understand, such as "envy" "alas" and "precious." The story itself will serve 2nd and 3rd graders as they are entering the social phase of friends over self.
8. Awards if any: Caldecott Honor, 1970, ALA Notable Children's Books, 1995
9. Citations for published reviews from professional sources: Horn Book Guide starred (March, 2007)
March 14, 2012
I usually like Leo Lionni, but something about this one just bothered me. When I was younger, I would have sympathized with poor Alexander the mouse who just wants to eat a few crumbs but can't because the humans scream for help and chase him with a broom when they see him. As an adult, I felt sympathy for the poor humans who had a mouse in their house! I also didn't find it very believable that a child would cuddle with a wind-up mouse on their pillow at night.
I do like the illustrations, though. Which is good since this won a Caldecott Honor in 1970. The patterns do get a bit crazy in some of the illustrations, but I think they're fun. My favorite is the lizard's splotchy water color pattern. Two stars for the story, but I'll bump this up to three because of the illustrations.
I do like the illustrations, though. Which is good since this won a Caldecott Honor in 1970. The patterns do get a bit crazy in some of the illustrations, but I think they're fun. My favorite is the lizard's splotchy water color pattern. Two stars for the story, but I'll bump this up to three because of the illustrations.
February 9, 2016
This book tells the story of Alexander the mouse and his desire to be transformed into a wind-up mouse by the magical lizard in the bush. Alexander wants to be loved as a wind-up toy rather than hunted with mouse traps and chased with brooms. The illustration is full of powerful textures and shows readers what the world looks like from a mouses' perspective. Alexander changes his mind and decides to ask the lizard to transform his friend Willy the wind-up mouse into a real mouse instead because Willy is about to be thrown out with old toys. The book resolves with Alexander and Willy (now a real mouse) dancing as best friends. The message: don't try to be something else just to be loved - be yourself.
February 14, 2016
Another Caldecott Honor book. This one is a story of Alexander who longs to be like Willy. Willy is a toy wind-up mouse loved by his owner. Alexander, on the other hand, lives in a house where people scream when they notice him He is not loved, and the broom that is trying to capture him has a large person on the other end intent on causing harm.
When Willy told Alexander that there is a rumor of a magic multi-colored lizard who can grant wishes, Alexander visited the lizard in the hope of becoming a wind-up toy. Changing his mind when he found Willy in the used toy box ready to be discarded, instead, Alexander asked that Willy become a real-live mouse.And, the two danced until dawn.
When Willy told Alexander that there is a rumor of a magic multi-colored lizard who can grant wishes, Alexander visited the lizard in the hope of becoming a wind-up toy. Changing his mind when he found Willy in the used toy box ready to be discarded, instead, Alexander asked that Willy become a real-live mouse.And, the two danced until dawn.
August 29, 2015
1970 Caldecott Honor Book. Favorite Illustration: When Alexander is searching the garden for the purple pebble. I love the Cherry blossoms on the trees.
I was so excited to read another visit with the mice! I know that they're not the same characters as Frédéric but the mice are the same illustration style so I feel like they may be cousins. I loved this story of caring for others and also realizing that while you may have troubles in your own life, so does everybody else. A sweet tale about friendship.
I was so excited to read another visit with the mice! I know that they're not the same characters as Frédéric but the mice are the same illustration style so I feel like they may be cousins. I loved this story of caring for others and also realizing that while you may have troubles in your own life, so does everybody else. A sweet tale about friendship.
February 6, 2009
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse was so good I wanted to throw all of our copies of the Velveteen Rabbit into the fire -- which really isn't a half-bad story in its own right. Unfortunately, we don't have a fireplace. I'll bet if we had a fireplace my wife wouldn't let me use it, because she'd think I wouldn't use it responsibly. I wish I could find a wind-up mouse to love me.
July 20, 2015
I discovered this lovely story when I was a newbie Children's Librarian. I used it successfully in many story time sessions. It is a lovely tale of magic and friendship, with beautiful collage illustrations.
Caldecott Honor, 1970
Caldecott Honor, 1970
November 22, 2019
Absolute stone-cold classic. Maybe Lionni’s best book. The story is complicated enough for a young kid that it gives them a lot to think about, and the message is very good. Top 10 kids book of all time.
June 10, 2024
Dang but I love Leo Lionni's fables. How can one grow up reading books like this and then make the political and economic choices so many do?
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Reread of a newer copy found in a Little Free Library. Still wonderful. I am glad that it's still in print and, I hope, is still used in schools.
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Reread of a newer copy found in a Little Free Library. Still wonderful. I am glad that it's still in print and, I hope, is still used in schools.
June 16, 2012
Here's another one of Lionni's odd yet delightful little fables...this one about a mouse who learns a lesson about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.
May 9, 2013
Reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit. I think my son enjoyed this one. We had nice discussions about it.
November 17, 2016
The story has a good moral: you may not actually want to be different from what you are and it is kind to share.
December 1, 2016
Dad read to us..krb 12/1/16
April 9, 2021
Ähnlich wie bei Das größte Haus der Welt geht es auch wieder um die Frage, die Leo Lionni umzutreiben scheint: Sollte man seine Freiheit aufgeben, um bewundert zu werden? Und die Antwort ist ähnlich klar: Natürlich nicht. Womit er ja grundsätzlich recht hat. Die Geschichte ist hier immerhin etwas komplexer, weil Alexander ursprünglich so sein will, wie die Aufziehmaus, die er bewundert, dann aber feststellt, dass Gemeinschaft auch auf andere Art möglich ist - außerdem gibt es das fantastische Element mit der Eidechse, die in den Augen meines Kindes auch der wahre Star ist. Gleichzeitig hat aber auch dieses Buch wieder Elemente, die ich unfair finde, zum Beispiel die Darstellung von Kindern als untreue Seelen, die geliebte alte Spielzeuge wegwerfen, sobald sie neue bekommen. Ein beliebtes Motiv in "moralischer" Kinderliteratur, das aber meiner Ansicht nach überhaupt nicht der Realität entspricht - eher sind es die Erwachsenen, die alte Spielzeuge wegwerfen wollen, weil sie sich, ganz anders als die Kinder, daran sattgesehen haben. Auch wenn "Alexander und die Aufziehmaus" nur eine Fabel ist - bei mir bleibt immer der etwas bittere Beigeschmack, ein eigentlich komplexes Thema wie Liebe/Bewunderung/Wohlstand/Freiheit auf eine sehr vereinfachte Dichotomie zu reduzieren. Als könne man sich im Leben nur entscheiden, ob man Aufziehmaus sein will oder nicht. Erwarte ich von Kinderbüchern zu viel?
October 4, 2023
Not my favorite art style and not the type of story I like to read. Alexander spends most of the book wishing to be like Willy, but in the end he gives up his chance and turns Willy into a real mouse like him. Now this is all fun and dandy and very friendly and everything but it is incosequential because Alexander had already seen what happens to dolls and definitely did not want to become one anymore.
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