Product Description
Illus. in full color. "While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick seems to daydream the summer away. When dreary winter comes, it is Frederick the poet-mouse who warms his friends and cheers them with his words."--Wilson Library Bulletin.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 37 reviews)

An ALA Caldecott Honor Book

This is such a sweet book, and the back has a little craft to make a mouse - my daughter loves it.
December 15, 2008

Not a great message...

Is it possible to be an artist AND a hard worker at the same time? I think yes. Myself, I love to write and draw, decorate and appreciate art, but I also like to eat, pay my bills and have shelter. This book has wonderful illustrations, hence the Caldcott, but the story itself is quite inappropriate for any child whose character you are trying to mold. It conveys quite clearly that it is okay to be a slacker and let others do your work and pull your weight. We checked this out from the library first and there is no way that I would add it to our home library.
December 14, 2008

Classic children's story--great gift

Charming story about field mice, one of whom, Frederick, is a poet and he knows it. Makes a great gift, and the last page shows how to make your own field mice. Really sweet.
November 16, 2008

We are Frederick

Although this book is delightful for the kids, Frederick really inspires YOU!

I'm adding this review for the impact it has had on me as an entrepreneur, idea generator, and casual writer. I think Lionni wrote this book autobiographically as someone who was often focused on less tangible work (absorbing and imagining). While so many laborers around us do the "real work", we spend our time not conforming to the traditions: we generate free content, feedback, software, bug reports, etc., and to many, those are intangibles. We leave traditional jobs to do things that many consider unimportant or even irresponsible wasting of time.

To the chagrin of his hard-working peers, Frederick gathered sunrays, colors, and words. Only much later did he make his profound contribution by translating those into uplifting stories. We should be confident that our creative and generous efforts today are worthwhile, and will collectively be what get us through the long, cold Winters ahead.

Whenever I need inspiration to persist at creative work, and justify my pursuits, I think of Frederick and know that my work is meaningful.
September 23, 2008

What a terrible message

Just started buying books for my baby and came across this one. I know that arts are important to society, but that concept is probably a little abstract for a very young mind to grasp. The theme that sticks out most clearly is that you will be a hero if you slack off and mooch off everyone around you. This book will never be read to my kid if I have anything to say about it.
August 10, 2008

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