About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by a lack of natural talent or is struggling with the high pressure of a new extracurricular activity. It is a relatable and funny exploration of the gap between our glamorous daydreams and the gritty, often cold reality of hard work. Babymouse, a spunky and imaginative mouse, finally finds her spark on the ice, but she quickly discovers that training with a demanding Olympic coach is much harder than her fantasies suggested. This graphic novel normalize feelings of inadequacy and the fear of failure while celebrating the resilience required to keep going when things get tough. It is perfect for children aged 7 to 10 who are navigating the ups and downs of discovering their own unique strengths.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None.
Ideal Reader
A 2nd to 4th grader who feels like they are not 'the best' at anything and needs to see that everyone struggles behind the scenes, even the people who look like naturals.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. It is a great springboard for discussing the 'myth of the natural' and how much practice goes into the things we see on TV. The child expresses frustration with a piano lesson, sports practice, or school project, saying, 'I'm just not good at anything, so why bother?'
Age Experience
Younger readers will enjoy the slapstick humor and Babymouse's vivid pink-hued daydreams. Older readers will more deeply resonate with the social pressure of being 'discovered' and the anxiety of performing under the gaze of a demanding mentor.
What Makes It Special
While many sports books focus on the 'big win,' Babymouse Skater Girl focuses on the internal conflict of whether the 'glory' is worth the loss of joy in the activity itself, all delivered through a highly accessible graphic format.
Read plot summary
Babymouse feels like she has no special talents compared to her peers until she discovers a natural aptitude for ice skating. Her skills catch the eye of the famous, and very intense, Coach Bearnakorva. Babymouse enters a world of rigorous training, early mornings, and high expectations. While her imagination runs wild with visions of Olympic gold and fame, the reality of sore muscles and repetitive drills starts to wear her down. Ultimately, she must decide if the pressure is worth the pursuit of a medal.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Babymouse imagines herself as a world-famous star. How do her daydreams help her, and when do they make it harder for her to face reality?
2
Coach Bearnakorva is very strict. Do you think her coaching style helped Babymouse, or did it take the fun out of skating?
3
At the beginning, Babymouse feels like she has no talents. What is something you tried that was harder than it looked?
4
Why does Felicia Furrypaws always seem to get under Babymouse's skin, and how does Babymouse handle it on the ice?
