Review by Booklist Review
Little Mouse got dressed in Smith's first early reader comic (Little Mouse Gets Ready, 2009), and this time the adorable rodent is getting ready for bed, removing his Supermouse cape and settling down to sleep when he spots something eerie in his closet. He's scared, but putting his red cape back on helps him find the bravery to investigate the shadow shape himself. Smith's graceful ink lines with meticulous cross hatching do a superb job of capturing emotion in small moments. Being spooked by a shadow at night is an experience most kids can relate to, and the gentle story emphasizes that bravery doesn't mean you stop being scared--it's very clear that Little Mouse is still scared, but choosing to face his fears is what saves the day. Rich, saturated colors and large format panels (no more than two per page and often just one) have more depth than those in a typical early reader comic, but their scale makes them roomy enough for emerging readers to easily discern key actions and emotions.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--An early graphic novel with sweet charm that young readers will find endearing. This new offering in the series follows Little Mouse, a character previously seen in Eisner Award-winning Smith's Little Mouse Gets Ready. It is time for Little Mouse to go to bed. After the lights are turned out, Little Mouse sees a shadowy figure in the open closet door. Addressing a well-known fear in a way that is not too scary for children, the young mouse decides to don a Supermouse cape and face the danger. The expressive panels enhance the story and will aid those who are just beginning their reading journey in identifying words. VERDICT A well-crafted graphic novel about facing one's fears, recommended for early reader or graphic novel sections.--Allison McLean
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Little Mouse is playing Supermouse when Mama says it's time for bed: "Even Supermice have to sleep." The affable protagonist settles into bed without complaint, Mama turns off the light...and then Little Mouse notices that the closet door is open. Smith's (long-awaited) sequel to his 2010 Geisel Honor winner, Little Mouse Gets Ready, employs a cartoon format to tell the story. The bulk of the text appears in a handful of speech bubbles at the beginning and end, when the two main characters interact. The middle, when Little Mouse reckons with the cat-shaped shadow in the closet, is told with fewer words; the panels here are dominated by deep blues and violets. This palette stands in contrast to the cheerful, light-filled panels that bookend Little Mouse's dark night of the soul, in which mother and child's affectionate gazes and gentle interactions telegraph security. In the dark, Little Mouse is believably frightened, but readers will feel safe as the mouse creeps out of bed and confronts the "monster" in the closet. Little Mouse screams, Mama comes running, everyone chuckles over a misunderstanding, and Little Mouse is tucked safely into bed once more. A satisfying romp for new readers building their own confidence. Adrienne L. PettinelliSeptember/October 2025 p.78 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
