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Douglas
In his follow-up to Lucy, Randy Cecil again tells a visually arresting tale in four acts -- this time about a brave movie-theater mouse on a daring adventure.
When Iris Espinosa goes to the cinema, she doesn't expect to meet a small mouse. And she certainly doesn't expect that mouse to stow away in her sweater pocket. At home, Iris is delighted by the mouse's daring, which reminds her of the actor Douglas Fairbanks. And so begin the adventures of a sweet, plucky mouse named Douglas, who must overcome obstacles aplenty, from hungry cats to broom-wielding humans, as she journeys across the tall rooftops of Bloomville to return to her movie-theater home. Full of high-stakes chases, clever escapes, and valiant rescues, Randy Cecil's story is a cinematic and meticulously crafted celebration of courage and friendship.
When Iris Espinosa goes to the cinema, she doesn't expect to meet a small mouse. And she certainly doesn't expect that mouse to stow away in her sweater pocket. At home, Iris is delighted by the mouse's daring, which reminds her of the actor Douglas Fairbanks. And so begin the adventures of a sweet, plucky mouse named Douglas, who must overcome obstacles aplenty, from hungry cats to broom-wielding humans, as she journeys across the tall rooftops of Bloomville to return to her movie-theater home. Full of high-stakes chases, clever escapes, and valiant rescues, Randy Cecil's story is a cinematic and meticulously crafted celebration of courage and friendship.
120 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2019
1 person is currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Randy Cecil
31Ìýbooks39ÌýfollowersRandy Cecil has illustrated many books for children, including LOOKING FOR A MOOSE by Phyllis Root, And HERE'S TO YOU! by David Elliott, He is also the author-illustrator of GATOR and DUCK. Randy Cecil lives in Houston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 3, 2019
It's the little things about this story that I like---how Iris names the little girl mouse Douglas and the little boy mouse Pearl, how Everett can't leave his stoop because he keeps bringing home pets and yet he ends up with a pet without leaving his stoop, the unexpected savior in the form of a large hat, the return to the theater---so many little things. The illustrations, so simple and yet so full, bring a lot to the story. I like the pacing of this story, and I know how much young readers long for a big book; this book will be perfect for them.
June 3, 2019
Review to be added to Amazon US and UK on 10th September 2019!
I really enjoyed this one and I thought that it had some lovely images.
The story was well paced for the majority of the book but it did drop off a bit at times and it was quite a bit longer than I had expected and from that I am not sure how long the attention will last for some children when it does go slower so I think that this would be best read as a story over a few nights to make sure that they get the most out of the story. I do think older children will enjoy it.
It is 3.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I enjoyed it and loved the different images!
I really enjoyed this one and I thought that it had some lovely images.
The story was well paced for the majority of the book but it did drop off a bit at times and it was quite a bit longer than I had expected and from that I am not sure how long the attention will last for some children when it does go slower so I think that this would be best read as a story over a few nights to make sure that they get the most out of the story. I do think older children will enjoy it.
It is 3.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I enjoyed it and loved the different images!
July 16, 2019
3.5 stars
This was a cute book about a mouse named Douglas (who is actually a girl because she was named by a human) and her adventures in and around a movie theater. The text is fairly spare and distilled, so it reads like a long picture book that contains more action than most but also isn't detailed enough to feel like a chapter book. It's an interesting hybrid, and would be nice for children who are old enough for a longer story.
This was a cute book about a mouse named Douglas (who is actually a girl because she was named by a human) and her adventures in and around a movie theater. The text is fairly spare and distilled, so it reads like a long picture book that contains more action than most but also isn't detailed enough to feel like a chapter book. It's an interesting hybrid, and would be nice for children who are old enough for a longer story.
January 10, 2020
Once again we return for more thrilling adventures in Bloomville in this companion to Lucy. Every Saturday afternoon, Iris Espinoza puts on her sister's blue sweater and, following the tantalizing scent of fresh popcorn, heads to the Majestic Theater for the matinee movie. On her way to the theater, Iris passes a big cat with six toes on each paw lazing on one stoop, and a boy named Everette, who wants nothing more than to have a nice pet, stilling on another stoop.
Arriving at the Majestic, Iris buys a bag of popcorn and a theater ticket, then heads to her favorite seat in the front row. As she watches the film and eats her popcorn, she's joined by a little mouse, who also enjoys popcorn, and who decides to take a little nap in the pocket of the sweater Iris is wearing.
When Iris gets home and discovers the little mouse has come home with her, she decides to name it Douglas, after her favorite actor, Douglas Fairbanks, not knowing the mouse is female. But when Iris hears her sister coming, she quickly hides Douglas in the sweater pocket, the very sweater Adriana has decided to wear to meet her boyfriend's parents. On her way to his house, she is followed by the six-toed cat, a champion mouser who has caught Douglas's scent. Imagine everyone's surprise when it is discovered that Adriana has a mouse in her pocket, including Douglas. She now has to escape the boyfriend's apartment, and find her way back to the Majestic Theater, facing all kinds of perils and even more cats besides the six-toed mouser.
Organized into four acts, written in the third person, and each presenting a characters point of view, this book's story and format echoes the old silent movies Iris loves to watch. Like the movies, there is no dialogue, and the oil painted illustrations are done in black and white, with the exception of the two-page spread that introduced each act. These are done in a circle that has the sense of looking through a camera lens. Sandwiched within the story are entertaining subplots and astute readers will recognize people and places from Lucy. And the ending...well, who knows what further adventures Douglas will have after she and the new friends she meets along the ways, and whom Iris names Pearl after a favorite actress, Pearl While, both decide to take a name in the pocket of the sweater Iris is wearing. Pair this with Lucy to use as a picture book for older readers or for your transitional readers.
Arriving at the Majestic, Iris buys a bag of popcorn and a theater ticket, then heads to her favorite seat in the front row. As she watches the film and eats her popcorn, she's joined by a little mouse, who also enjoys popcorn, and who decides to take a little nap in the pocket of the sweater Iris is wearing.
When Iris gets home and discovers the little mouse has come home with her, she decides to name it Douglas, after her favorite actor, Douglas Fairbanks, not knowing the mouse is female. But when Iris hears her sister coming, she quickly hides Douglas in the sweater pocket, the very sweater Adriana has decided to wear to meet her boyfriend's parents. On her way to his house, she is followed by the six-toed cat, a champion mouser who has caught Douglas's scent. Imagine everyone's surprise when it is discovered that Adriana has a mouse in her pocket, including Douglas. She now has to escape the boyfriend's apartment, and find her way back to the Majestic Theater, facing all kinds of perils and even more cats besides the six-toed mouser.
Organized into four acts, written in the third person, and each presenting a characters point of view, this book's story and format echoes the old silent movies Iris loves to watch. Like the movies, there is no dialogue, and the oil painted illustrations are done in black and white, with the exception of the two-page spread that introduced each act. These are done in a circle that has the sense of looking through a camera lens. Sandwiched within the story are entertaining subplots and astute readers will recognize people and places from Lucy. And the ending...well, who knows what further adventures Douglas will have after she and the new friends she meets along the ways, and whom Iris names Pearl after a favorite actress, Pearl While, both decide to take a name in the pocket of the sweater Iris is wearing. Pair this with Lucy to use as a picture book for older readers or for your transitional readers.
September 13, 2019
This is one that I finished almost as soon as I picked it up. I mean from the cover alone you can tell it's going to be a charming story, and it certainly delivered. The illustrations are so detailed, and the tale with its brave little heroes is touching as well as uplifting, even if at times danger abounds! I found myself cheering Douglas along as he made his way from theater to house, roof to window, and back across the city again, as he searched for what he always wanted and unexpectedly found...a friend! It definitely makes a case for one never giving up, no matter how small they may be or how big the obstacle/opponent!
**ARC for review; opinions are my own
**ARC for review; opinions are my own
October 2, 2019
What started as a simple nap in a little girl's pocket, Douglas the mouse is swept off on a frightening adventure. Will he make it back to the theatre he has called home? No matter how frightening her adventure was, she got to experience new and wonderful things and dare I say it, make new friends!
Fun story with adorable drawings!
#Netgalley
Fun story with adorable drawings!
#Netgalley
September 30, 2019
I love this follow up to Lucy! Black & white sketch illustrations & told in "Acts", this sweet little story about a mouse's plight for survival thanks to a little girl's borrowed blue sweater and an older woman's large-flat-brimmed hat is one to delight readers of all ages. And, the cinematic references along with street vendor popcorn are reminiscent of a time gone by...Douglas, the female mouse & newly found friend Pearl White, a male mouse...yes, Fairbanks, yes black & white heroic films...just so splendid!
September 2, 2019
See my full review here:
DOUGLAS is the story of a mouse who lives at the theater. She often likes to eat the snacks dropped by the Woman with the Large Hat who comes every week. This week, she spots a young girl, Iris, who is wearing her sister's blue sweater and sneaks inside the pocket. When Iris finds her, she names her after an actor, Douglas. Douglas is in the pocket when Iris's sister reclaims the sweater and leaves the house, launching Douglas on quite the adventure.
Told in a lengthier style, most pages feature a circular illustration with text above and/or below, showing Douglas's journey from theater, through danger, and back to the theater at the end. The images are in duotone with vintage style that are reminiscent of the old movies referenced through the theater.
What I loved: The story is simple and the images equally simple and appealing. The book is written like an advanced picture book, quite a bit simpler than a chapter book, which suits a young audience who is growing too old for picture books. The story line is very straightforward which also helps early independent readers. The animals are very cute, and there are some side stories with a cat and a boy who really wants a pet that add appeal to the book.
What left me wanting more: The story is a little dull in places where not much happens. The text is very descriptive, spelling out every action along the way, which will make it a little too simple for some readers.
Final verdict: With a vintage style reminiscent of old movies, this simple story is great for children who are just passing picture books and looking for something straight-forward and cute, featuring a charming mouse named Douglas.
DOUGLAS is the story of a mouse who lives at the theater. She often likes to eat the snacks dropped by the Woman with the Large Hat who comes every week. This week, she spots a young girl, Iris, who is wearing her sister's blue sweater and sneaks inside the pocket. When Iris finds her, she names her after an actor, Douglas. Douglas is in the pocket when Iris's sister reclaims the sweater and leaves the house, launching Douglas on quite the adventure.
Told in a lengthier style, most pages feature a circular illustration with text above and/or below, showing Douglas's journey from theater, through danger, and back to the theater at the end. The images are in duotone with vintage style that are reminiscent of the old movies referenced through the theater.
What I loved: The story is simple and the images equally simple and appealing. The book is written like an advanced picture book, quite a bit simpler than a chapter book, which suits a young audience who is growing too old for picture books. The story line is very straightforward which also helps early independent readers. The animals are very cute, and there are some side stories with a cat and a boy who really wants a pet that add appeal to the book.
What left me wanting more: The story is a little dull in places where not much happens. The text is very descriptive, spelling out every action along the way, which will make it a little too simple for some readers.
Final verdict: With a vintage style reminiscent of old movies, this simple story is great for children who are just passing picture books and looking for something straight-forward and cute, featuring a charming mouse named Douglas.
December 22, 2020
A lovely, gentle story of a mouse and her adventures. Partway between a picture book and a chapter book, Randy Cecil creates a lovely old-fashioned atmosphere in this tale. There are feats of daring, moments of tension, humour, sub-plots and bit characters. There is quite a lot packed in these few pages! Highly recommended.
I wonder what younger readers will make of the reference to Douglas Fairbanks? (and even I hadn't heard of Pearl White).
I wonder what younger readers will make of the reference to Douglas Fairbanks? (and even I hadn't heard of Pearl White).
November 14, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was very excited about receiving this book. The premise hooked me in right away. When the book came, I noted on the cover, there was a blurb indicating that “all interior art will be reproduced in duotone.�
I have to also add, that I did receive an ARC-Advanced Reading Copy, so there was the possibility that what I was seeing in the ARC would change with final publications. I thought this wasn’t really a problem until I skimmed the pages looking at the artwork.
Definition of Duotone: “Duotone is a halftone reproduction of an image using the superimposition of one contrasting color halftone over another color halftone. This is most often used to bring out middle tones and highlights of an image. Traditionally the superimposed contrasting halftone color is black and the most commonly implemented colours are blue, yellow, brown, and red, however there are many varieties of color combinations used.� Wikipedia
So with all this information, I continued flipping through the ARC wondering the following:
Will the main characters stand out better throughout the artwork?
Will the illustrations look less blurry?
Will the illustrations be more sharp and detailed?
Will the contrasting colorings be enough to lift the artwork off the page and give depth to its perception?
Will the story suffer from this illustrative idea?
The emotional impact of the illustrations for this reader, while reading were low, down, gloomy, glum, repressed, bored and disinterested. Will duotone properly fix all of these for future young readers?
The constrained artwork to a circular boundary seemed to cut the illustrations off. When the sentence below is read, a quick glance up to the accompanying artwork was disappointing. Will this change when young readers read the final publication that is using duotone?
This early reader is ideally perfect for young readers who struggle with reading/word identifying; older readers who read at a younger level; special needs individuals, or young readers who are beginning to read at a higher level. The story is adorable. It’s little mouse MC will warm any heart. There’s problem-solving, adventure, friendship, and more between the book covers. The artwork, is disappointing as it stands in the ARC. There are things that can be done to make it stand out more and be very effective in helping to drive the story to its final conclusion. Candlewick is known to produce great books, so we’ll have to wait and see if they change anything!
It will be interesting to see what a final production copy looks like. If the artwork improves, then “Douglas� will be a 5 star hit. If not, then I suspect readers are sure to be disappointed.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was very excited about receiving this book. The premise hooked me in right away. When the book came, I noted on the cover, there was a blurb indicating that “all interior art will be reproduced in duotone.�
I have to also add, that I did receive an ARC-Advanced Reading Copy, so there was the possibility that what I was seeing in the ARC would change with final publications. I thought this wasn’t really a problem until I skimmed the pages looking at the artwork.
Definition of Duotone: “Duotone is a halftone reproduction of an image using the superimposition of one contrasting color halftone over another color halftone. This is most often used to bring out middle tones and highlights of an image. Traditionally the superimposed contrasting halftone color is black and the most commonly implemented colours are blue, yellow, brown, and red, however there are many varieties of color combinations used.� Wikipedia
So with all this information, I continued flipping through the ARC wondering the following:
Will the main characters stand out better throughout the artwork?
Will the illustrations look less blurry?
Will the illustrations be more sharp and detailed?
Will the contrasting colorings be enough to lift the artwork off the page and give depth to its perception?
Will the story suffer from this illustrative idea?
The emotional impact of the illustrations for this reader, while reading were low, down, gloomy, glum, repressed, bored and disinterested. Will duotone properly fix all of these for future young readers?
The constrained artwork to a circular boundary seemed to cut the illustrations off. When the sentence below is read, a quick glance up to the accompanying artwork was disappointing. Will this change when young readers read the final publication that is using duotone?
This early reader is ideally perfect for young readers who struggle with reading/word identifying; older readers who read at a younger level; special needs individuals, or young readers who are beginning to read at a higher level. The story is adorable. It’s little mouse MC will warm any heart. There’s problem-solving, adventure, friendship, and more between the book covers. The artwork, is disappointing as it stands in the ARC. There are things that can be done to make it stand out more and be very effective in helping to drive the story to its final conclusion. Candlewick is known to produce great books, so we’ll have to wait and see if they change anything!
It will be interesting to see what a final production copy looks like. If the artwork improves, then “Douglas� will be a 5 star hit. If not, then I suspect readers are sure to be disappointed.
July 15, 2019
I received an Advance Reading copy from the publisher through The Library Thing website in exchange for a review. I received no compensation for the review other than the book and the review is all my own.
This is the story of a mouse who had lived in a movie theater, eating the snacks dropped by movie goers. Douglas is snacking on popcorn and decides to slip into the pocket of a sweater worn by a young girl named Iris. The mouse ends up on an adventure where it must face danger and ends up making a new friend along the way. Will the mouse Douglas find its way home, this story is a really good early look for young readers to experience and adventure story with age appropriate details.
This book could be used as a read aloud (over a few day period) in a classroom and used as a format for discussion of what the children think will or could happen next in the story. Also to help them look for any contradictions in the language used in the story.
This would be a good transitional book for young readers needing something more challenging that a typical picture book, but not yet ready for in-depth detailed chapter type books. Also the pictures help to "tell" the story and by filling in some detail that isn't in the written part of the story. The use of black and white pictures also will benefit these early readers as they will be less distracting that full blown color pictures would be.
This is the story of a mouse who had lived in a movie theater, eating the snacks dropped by movie goers. Douglas is snacking on popcorn and decides to slip into the pocket of a sweater worn by a young girl named Iris. The mouse ends up on an adventure where it must face danger and ends up making a new friend along the way. Will the mouse Douglas find its way home, this story is a really good early look for young readers to experience and adventure story with age appropriate details.
This book could be used as a read aloud (over a few day period) in a classroom and used as a format for discussion of what the children think will or could happen next in the story. Also to help them look for any contradictions in the language used in the story.
This would be a good transitional book for young readers needing something more challenging that a typical picture book, but not yet ready for in-depth detailed chapter type books. Also the pictures help to "tell" the story and by filling in some detail that isn't in the written part of the story. The use of black and white pictures also will benefit these early readers as they will be less distracting that full blown color pictures would be.
Read
September 8, 2019For those who've grown up in a small town, you know what life there can mean to you. There will be moments when you long to leave, yearning for more of anything. Even if you do go to make a life elsewhere in a larger community, there will come a time when you recall all the benefits of living in a quieter place where everyone knows who you are and, for the most part, is friendly and willing to lend a helping hand.
For neighbors, adults and children alike, to be able to walk their city streets feeling safe and secure is a wonderful accomplishment. To leave the comfort of their home and stroll to the local grocery store, bakery, hardware shop, drug store, post office, bank, school, public library, flower shop, park or even a doctor or dentist is not something many are still able to do. It seems today our communities are spread across larger distances.
If you are willing, let's step back in time and revisit a town called Bloomville. We first traveled there in the marvelous book called Lucy (Candlewick Press, August 2, 2016) written and illustrated by Randy Cecil. In a companion title, Douglas (Candlewick Press, September 10, 2019) written and illustrated by Randy Cecil, our attention is focused on a charming, silver screen loving girl and her new acquaintance, a mouse. Join me as we begin with the first of four acts.
My full recommendation:
For neighbors, adults and children alike, to be able to walk their city streets feeling safe and secure is a wonderful accomplishment. To leave the comfort of their home and stroll to the local grocery store, bakery, hardware shop, drug store, post office, bank, school, public library, flower shop, park or even a doctor or dentist is not something many are still able to do. It seems today our communities are spread across larger distances.
If you are willing, let's step back in time and revisit a town called Bloomville. We first traveled there in the marvelous book called Lucy (Candlewick Press, August 2, 2016) written and illustrated by Randy Cecil. In a companion title, Douglas (Candlewick Press, September 10, 2019) written and illustrated by Randy Cecil, our attention is focused on a charming, silver screen loving girl and her new acquaintance, a mouse. Join me as we begin with the first of four acts.
My full recommendation:
September 23, 2019
Bridging the gap between children's picture books and chapter books, Douglas offers a longer adventure divided into four parts. I love the detailed charcoal sketches on each page--a very calming, soothing affect and I think the absence of color forces the audience to look a little harder for details on each page.
The book has some repetition and predictability that children will enjoy but also has some elements of suspense and surprise. The main character is a mouse and is given its name in a rather unique way. Douglas stows away in a little girl's pocket and finds itself in a number of predicaments involving both humans and felines.
The words on each page are kept to a minumum so it will not take that long to read. Because the book is over 100 pages, it's a perfect choice for an older child that may still struggle with reading--it provides a longer tale without too much difficulty. It also works well for a read aloud--either read over 4 days (creating anticipation of the next adventure!!) or in one sitting for a child with a longer attention span.
Children will learn a bit about problem solving and following a plan as Douglas makes a valiant effort to return to the safety and comfort of home. Enjoy curling up with this delightful tale of a mouse with a mighty sense of adventure!
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of Douglas for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.
The book has some repetition and predictability that children will enjoy but also has some elements of suspense and surprise. The main character is a mouse and is given its name in a rather unique way. Douglas stows away in a little girl's pocket and finds itself in a number of predicaments involving both humans and felines.
The words on each page are kept to a minumum so it will not take that long to read. Because the book is over 100 pages, it's a perfect choice for an older child that may still struggle with reading--it provides a longer tale without too much difficulty. It also works well for a read aloud--either read over 4 days (creating anticipation of the next adventure!!) or in one sitting for a child with a longer attention span.
Children will learn a bit about problem solving and following a plan as Douglas makes a valiant effort to return to the safety and comfort of home. Enjoy curling up with this delightful tale of a mouse with a mighty sense of adventure!
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of Douglas for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.
May 31, 2019
A little girl, Iris, dons her sister's sweater, buys popcorn, and goes to the movies as she often does. A little mouse lives in the theater, eating dropped snacks. This day, the mouse finds her way onto the seat by Iris, then into the pocket of her sweater, where the mouse falls asleep. She wakes up as Iris walks home and discovers a cat following. When Iris gets home, she discovers the little mouse and names her Douglas after her favorite movie hero. Iris's sister come in to get her sweater, and again Douglas is in the pocket sleeping. Iris's sister goes to her boyfriend's house where Douglas is discovered, chased by the boyfriend's mother, and Douglas's adventure begins.
The story is compelling and the illustrations are the perfect complement to this old-fashioned adventure. Randy Cecil, author and illustrator, has made a perfect book for young readers just taking on chapter books. It is sweet, fun, and exiting. I was sent a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story is compelling and the illustrations are the perfect complement to this old-fashioned adventure. Randy Cecil, author and illustrator, has made a perfect book for young readers just taking on chapter books. It is sweet, fun, and exiting. I was sent a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2019
Randy Cecil has written another brief chapter book (with four Acts) for early readers, this time about a little mouse named Douglas and a young girl names Iris Espinosa. Iris loves going to movies, buys popcorn each time from a vendor before the movie, but this time didn't expect to bring a mouse home in her sweater's pocket. It's easy to hear giggles as sweet Iris is thrilled to find the mouse, not alarmed at all. Loving adventure movies, she names him after her favorite actor, Douglas Fairbanks. I think kids may need to look that name up, but it is cute to see that not only does she give him a name, but a vest from one of her dolls. How the adventure continues makes an imaginative story that moves quickly, including a woman from the theater, Iris' older sister and boyfriend, and a cat with six toes. The hijinks, scary escapes and, thank goodness, satisfying ending along with Cecil's detailed illustrations that fill most of the page will be fun for beginning readers.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
October 9, 2019
A small mouse has a big adventure involving a sweater, several hungry cats, and the buttery smell of popcorn. Cecil tells this short and gentle story at a leisurely pace, stretching out scenes by placing only one to just a handful of lines of text on each page accompanied by a black and white sketch.
The story itself is simple and written in a no-nonsense tone similar to fairy tales while the illustrations can sometimes contradict the words for comedic effect or heavily reinforce the text for suspense. The setting appears to be somewhere around the 1950s but is ultimately never addressed. The protagonist of Douglas, the movie theatre mouse, exhibits many admirable traits such as curiosity, bravery, and determination, all of which will endear her to readers. Douglas has a fairly large supporting cast of both people and animals who are given their own backstories that shows how each character is in the background of someone else's story.
This tale is as spunky and as charming as its hero with details hiding in each act to engage readers at every turn.
The story itself is simple and written in a no-nonsense tone similar to fairy tales while the illustrations can sometimes contradict the words for comedic effect or heavily reinforce the text for suspense. The setting appears to be somewhere around the 1950s but is ultimately never addressed. The protagonist of Douglas, the movie theatre mouse, exhibits many admirable traits such as curiosity, bravery, and determination, all of which will endear her to readers. Douglas has a fairly large supporting cast of both people and animals who are given their own backstories that shows how each character is in the background of someone else's story.
This tale is as spunky and as charming as its hero with details hiding in each act to engage readers at every turn.
October 5, 2019
This sweet adventure story about friendship and overcoming fears will have readers forgetting that mice are actually creepy and scary! Iris spends each Saturday afternoon at the movie theater eating popcorn and enjoying her favorite films. One Saturday, a cute little mouse sits next to her and she shares her popcorn. The mouse curls up and falls asleep inside the pocket of her cozy blue sweater. But when she wakes up, she's on her way home with Iris and about to start her big adventure trying to get back home to the movie theater. Along the way, she is chased with brooms, hunted by hungry cats, and forced to perform daring acrobatics in order to survive. Young readers will have a great time finding out if she makes it back to the movie theater and will definitely be ready to make predictions about what will happen next.
May 7, 2019
A short story in act. In between picture book and children novel. It shows us a picture in a circle shape in the middle of every page with shorts sentences above and below. The format is original, but the small illustrations are black and white have a grayish/copy machine style that didn’t please me at all. The story was a bit too slow for my taste, but still good and cute with that child that kind of bound with a mouse. I also find the story to be a bit long for what it has to say. Not a bad story but it wasn’t present in the best format/media to do it justice.
September 9, 2019
Iris Espinosa goes to the movies one day, and ends up taking a small mouse home with her when it curls up in her pocket to nap. She names the mouse Douglas, after her favorite actor, Douglas Fairbanks, and Douglas ends up having a big adventure on the way back home to the movie theatre! A companion to Randy Cecil's Lucy (2016), Douglas is also told in four acts, and is an exciting adventure filled with cats, humans, chases, and escapes.
The black-and-white artwork gives a lovely, vintage feel to the artwork, especially when Randy Cecil places readers into a more specific time frame by recalling a screen star from Hollywood's Golden Age (Fairbanks was active in the 1920s and 1930s). There are mini-stories throughout the main story that make this so much fun to read: Iris' sister meeting her boyfriend's mother, with Douglas tagging along for the ride; the vigilant six-toed cat; Everett Dunn, who desperately wants a pet of his own; Mrs. Pennington and her large hat. There's so much to enjoy while reading Douglas, and it's a book kids will want to come back to, because there's something new to discover each time.ÌýAs Douglas Fairbanks had his own swashbuckling adventures, so does Douglas.
The black-and-white artwork gives a lovely, vintage feel to the artwork, especially when Randy Cecil places readers into a more specific time frame by recalling a screen star from Hollywood's Golden Age (Fairbanks was active in the 1920s and 1930s). There are mini-stories throughout the main story that make this so much fun to read: Iris' sister meeting her boyfriend's mother, with Douglas tagging along for the ride; the vigilant six-toed cat; Everett Dunn, who desperately wants a pet of his own; Mrs. Pennington and her large hat. There's so much to enjoy while reading Douglas, and it's a book kids will want to come back to, because there's something new to discover each time.ÌýAs Douglas Fairbanks had his own swashbuckling adventures, so does Douglas.
December 21, 2019
Reminiscent of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" both in style (elaborate pencil drawings) and in echoes (old movies), this follows the adventures of a mouse who lives in a movie theatre, and becomes a lot like her swash-buckling namesake, Douglas Fairbanks. Unlike most picture books, this has chapters, and so even though each page doesn't have that many words it will mostly appeal to the early elementary set. Parents might know who Douglas Fairbanks is, but the kids will just have to go with it (or maybe adults can use it as an extended learning opportunity?)
June 10, 2019
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review *
This kids picture/chapter book didn't capture my inner child's attention whatsoever. It was too long for the story it told, the illustrations weren't anything to write home about, and it generally was a bit lackluster. I was getting bored, so I rather wonder at how this would go over with small children. Not terrible, just not worth my time.
This kids picture/chapter book didn't capture my inner child's attention whatsoever. It was too long for the story it told, the illustrations weren't anything to write home about, and it generally was a bit lackluster. I was getting bored, so I rather wonder at how this would go over with small children. Not terrible, just not worth my time.
October 26, 2019
This delightful story blends an engaging story of a movie theater mouse who ends up on an amazing journey, with beautiful black and white illustrations. These illustrations, coupled with the narrative will allow younger readers and those who have this book read to them, to expand via their imagination, so the story turns into a mental movie. All in all, a great book to add to any library where kids imaginations are valued.
January 2, 2020
Douglas is a very great book because it's named after a very cool acrobat (or should I say just a cool person, but I think he might be in a circus , so I say "an acrobat " because I think he's in a circus), and this Douglas never really fell down and got eaten by the cat: she was alive, probably and she went back to the cinema, and the book ends [spoiler alert] like it started, but just 2 mice sleep in the pocket instead of 1.
September 17, 2019
I'm either in a much better mood or "Douglas" was just that much more enjoyable for me over "Lucy." I found the mices' names of Douglas and Pearl to be very endearing considering the gender pronouns used to describe them were opposite of the names. The flow of a Bloomville day was once again worth it, adventuring mouse, popcorn, cushiony theatre seats, cats, naps and all.
October 29, 2019
The illustrations are warm and lovely to study. The story is heartwarming with characters to love and cheer for as they faced peril and new adventures. I enjoyed the fact the the boy mouse was named Pearl and the girl mouse named Douglas, a twist that delighted me. The message that even the "bad guy" deserved love and a home and a chance to belong also made me smile.
December 27, 2019
This book is one heck of a work of art. The text tell an amazing story, and the pictures tell an amazing story! I really liked this book and may have missed Lucy (cover rings a bell, but I'm not sure if I ever read it). Only a true artist could turn a simple mouse into a story of adventure and hope and love.
January 1, 2020
Good. I'd've liked it better if I'dn't read Lucy first, but Lucy was so charming in the way the three stories were parallel, whereas here this was clearly the story of Douglas and the lives she influënced. Mebbe we could've had more about the boy with no pets? That part almost worked in a parallel way.
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January 24, 2020Such a satisfying story with a calm stillness about it (though it is full of adventure). The story is told in three acts - just like a play. A very simple story about a movie theater mouse who has a grand adventure. The end gives closure, but also leaves the story open to future adventures.
Fans of Ralph S. Mouse or the hamster Humphrey series will enjoy this one.
Fans of Ralph S. Mouse or the hamster Humphrey series will enjoy this one.
August 7, 2024
I probably would have enjoyed this as a girl, because of the chain of events, the clever details, the creative originality. Now all I can think about is the loose thread of the older sister's story.
The art is very much unlike art I usually prefer, but it does suit, especially because mice don't have great vision.
Impulse from the library.
The art is very much unlike art I usually prefer, but it does suit, especially because mice don't have great vision.
Impulse from the library.
June 11, 2019
This was such a sweet and fun story! I received an Advanced Reading Copy at Book Expo and I have fallen in love with this book. I really enjoy how it is broken up into "Acts" but I can see children reading this through in one sitting.
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