Space Mice
Author: Lori Haskins Houran
Illustrator: Priscilla Alpaugh
Albert Whitman & Co.
1 March 2020
32 pages
Book description from Goodreads: “When two hungry mice spot a giant yellow ball of cheese in the night sky, they get right to work building a rocket ship so they can take a big bite out of that glowing full moon. After sailing through starry skies, the mice arrive at the feast of their dreams–and soon the moon isn’t so full anymore! Simple, rhythmic text makes this a great read-aloud for future astronauts.”
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Educational Activities inspired by Lori Haskins Houran’s Space Mice:
- Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover:
- Where and when does this story seem to take place?
- What do you already know about astronauts?
- Why might mice want to travel into space?
- What emotion do the mice on the cover seem to be feeling?
- If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
- After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story:
- Is this book fiction or nonfiction? How do you know?
- What is problem do the mice face in the story?
- What were the most important events in the story?
- What is the main message of this book?
- What other story does this one remind you of?
- Which of the sound effects did you most like? Grumble grumble, phew phew, or something else?
- If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about? Where else might those hungry mice go?
- Writing–Clearly these mice are interested in science and technology. Using your own imagination, write about another situation where they use science and/or technology to solve a different problem than being hungry. Feel free to draw pictures to go with the story. Consider sharing your finished piece with an adult or friend and ask them what they enjoy best about your work.
- Interview–Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is interviewing them. If you interviewed the space mice with the following questions, how might they respond? Consider inviting an adult or friend to either ask questions (or answer them) as they imagine the mice might. Feel free to add more questions of your own!
- What is your favorite cheese?
- What do you like most about the moon?
- What was the biggest challenge in building the rocket ship?
- What’s your favorite sport?
- What is your earliest memory?
- What secret do you have?
- What is your dream job?
- Where would you most like to live?
- Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following space-themed crafts:
- Comet on a Stick–These will be zooming all over the classroom or house before long (in a safe way!).
- Galaxy Play-Dough–This has an easy, no-cook 4‑minute play-dough making recipe, too.
- Oreo Moon Phases–It’s great to have a craft that’s both fun and yummy!
- Recycled CD Planet–Maybe a little messy, but absolutely a lot of fun. And who doesn’t have a pile of unneeded CDs around?
- Rocket Corner Bookmark–Easy to make, and useful, too!
- Tin Foil Moon–Wow, these look so cool.
- Further Reading–Space Mice is–as one might reasonably expect–about two mice who build a rocket and travel into space. Which of these other picture books about space travel have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)
