Babymouse: Queen of the World!

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. 2005. Babymouse: Queen of the World! New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0375832297.

With pink as the only color to compliment the black and white illustrations, and hearts appearing on every page, this graphic novel stars a loveable, middle-school age mouse who wants to be invited to the popular cat’s sleepover. Although the basic plot has been done before (girl gives up true friend in order to be friends with someone else, though ultimately realizes her happiness with the original friend), the humorous daydreams touch on real longings of the average mid-schooler. In addition, Babymouse sometimes talks with the narrator, a clever technique that closes the distance between reader and mouse. For example, the narrator asks, “Nervous, Babymouse?” and she responds, “I just hope it has a happy ending.” The illustrations, done by the author’s brother, Matthew Holm, are deceptively simple in the “real-life” frames and get more atmospheric in the dream sequences, keeping the humor fresh. This graphic novel is the first in a series marketed to an often-ignored population: middle school girls who like graphic novels. Babymouse is a welcome addition.